EUROPE

..and builds new container terminal

21 years ago

Port of Rotterdam and operator ECT have reached agreement to construct a new container terminal at Maasvlakte. This Delta Barge Feeder Terminal (DBF) is meant to handle inland and feeder vessels in a more flexible way whilst the terminals maximum capacity will expand to 880,000 TEUs. DFB will have a quay 800 metres long and almost 11 metres deep, with a size of some 7ha. Total investments amount to some ?145m, of which a third is for quay construction and other basic infrastructure. The new terminal could be in operation in the beginning of 2008.

Delta Barge Feeder Terminal: in operation by beginning of 2008

It will be capable of handling 9m tonnes of cargo annually, although this will be extended to 15m tonnes depending on demand.

DBF gives inland and feeder vessels flexibility and the deepsea vessels more time along the deepsea quay. This results in a gain of capacity for the existing terminals of almost 900,000 TEUs. This is achieved by integrating both the existing and new terminals into the automated system.

The DBF will be built at the eastern (“short”) side of the existing Delta peninsula (see photo). The ten waiting berths for inland vessels, presently at that site, will be compensated elsewhere in the vicinity.