Saturday 22 November 08 - 07:23
 

Bulk Handling Dry-bulk Terminal Economics

Look to the supply chain

The Europees Massagoed Overslagbedrijf (EMO) terminal at the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam is the largest dry bulk terminal in Europe specialising in the discharge and storage of iron ore and coal. Handling over 35m tons annually, EMO feeds into the supply chains of Europe's steel and electricity industries. Around one third of all its coal imports are destined for Germany.

Discharge operations at EMO: 35m tons annually
Discharge operations at EMO: 35m tons annually

Whilst the inland waterways remain the dominant mode for transferring the company's coal imports to German power stations and steel mills, rail is also making inroads due in part, to reduced water levels and the fact that the established canal network does not extend to all European coal users. Furthermore, whilst canal transport is still the cheapest way of moving imported coal to its markets, cost is not always the prime consideration as customers also look to just-in-time solutions.

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Discharge operations at EMO: 35m tons annually

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