The Port of Rotterdam Authority has made three public lay-by berths available for feeder and short sea ships on the Maasvlakte.
Two are located at dolphins in the continuation of the Rhenus terminal in the Europahaven (Port Number 8235). The third location is at the dolphins at a short distance from the GDF Suez quay in the Beerkanaal (Port Number 8025).
The investments were in the region of 4 million Euros.
By opening the berths the authority aims to help shipping companies save both uel and time. They stated that: “Most of these ships call at several container terminals and sometimes have to wait in the meantime.
“If they can do this nearby and free of charge, that saves them fuel and time.”
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest container port, with throughput of almost 12 million TEU. According to the Port Vision 2030, the percentage of units imported and exported by small costal container vessels will increase from 30% (2010) to 40% by 2030.