Look to the supply chain
Discharge operations at EMO: 35m tons annually
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.
EMO's commercial director, Paul Goris, explains what is happening on the supply and demand front: "Actually at present there is much coal and iron ore in stock - around 5.3m tons. This is due to summer maintenance at a few German power plants which use steam coal such as GKM and EnbW. Also there is less demand for iron ore and coking coal because of reduced steel production in Europe. But the expectation is that from September there will be an increased demand and consequently greater transport movement from EMO to the European hinterland."
To squeeze more productivity out of the terminal itself and the inland waterway and rail chains, as in Australia, it's not always about capital expenditure: "Mainly by better and more direct communication between the inland rail and barge operators and EMO, " says Goris, "by which we are able to better streamline the board/board and storage need/demand. By doing so we are able to improve and optimise our internal operational organisation, both in terms of manpower and machines."
EMO is however increasing its capacity with a sixth stacker/reclaimer to meet the growing volume of coal imports, especially on the part of the German power industry. This expansion will mean an increase in the annual unloading capacity from 36m to 42m tons. Storage capacity will rise from 6m to 7m tons. The commissioning of the machine will also sharply decrease the average unloading time of sea-going vessels.
A large part of the additional coal imports will be transported to the hinterland by rail. In order to process the extra tonnage it was decided to build a new loading facility and rail infrastructure for coal trains. But by what process are such investments justified? "This is done through market research and in combination with our financial requirements, " says Goris. "Consequently, by the partial replacement of iron ore by coal (less iron ore is now needed because of the consolidating European steel production in general and more need for import coal by closing European mining industries), there is a greater need for storage capacity and internal transhipment machinery."
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