“A big issue for fruit exporters is about customs and inspections,” said Anton Filippo of LBP Rotterdam. The company Anton works for is a logistics service provider that moves around 6,000 containers of fresh fruit through the port every year. That has given Anton insight into some of the port's challenges.
“There are five or six different inspections that can take place and that are all run by different Ministries,” said Anton. “Also, some inspections can only be done in certain areas or on certain days.” That, in combination with the high cost of inspections, which could run up to 700 Euro per shipment, led to some shippers diverting high-risk cargo, like fish and meat, to other European ports. The risk of losses due to long waiting times at the port are too high.
“In 2014, customs intercepted over 10,000 kilograms of cocaine at the port, so customs and inspections are very necessary,” explained Anton. But improvements need to be made.
“A team of logistics experts are addressing these issues and the first steps are taken to make inspections much faster at new terminals,” said Anton. The port added several new terminals in February that brought the total number to 17. There are looming labor issues because the new terminals' automated features will lead to a reduction in the number of workers needed, but those issues are also manageable and don't detract from the benefits of the Rotterdam port.
“We have the knowledge, the infrastructure and all of the major lines calling to Rotterdam,” said Anton. “The port has fantastic connections to Europe. If you want to go anywhere in Europe, you go through Rotterdam.”
For more information:
Anton FilippoL.B.P. Rotterdam BV
Honderdland 50, 2676 LS Maasdijk (NL)
T: (0031-0) 174 - 530550
F: (0031-0) 20 - 7969211
E: afi@lbprotterdam.nl
www.lbprotterdam.nl