Amsterdams coal transhipments business on the up

The dominance of Maersk can be seen in figures released by Algeciras port authority covering January and February 2005 during which throughput at the port amounted to 501,514 TEUs.

Amsterdam’s two major coal stevedores, OBA and ACPRietlanden, require more space and the port authority is developing a new site in the West Harbour for the purpose. 22 acres is intended for OBA. This expansion will be completed in the course of 2005. ACP-Rietlanden has already put 8.5 acres into use this past summer. Deepsea quays are to be renovated and expanded to a total of more than 600 metres as well so both stevedores can accommodate Capesize bulkers. Both quays are to be equipped with three dolphins each suitable for working with floating cranes, the most efficient means of processing coal, the port says. They can be deployed both at the port entrance for lighterage purposes (necessary for ships over 100,000dwt) as well as in Amsterdam port for loading and unloading at the terminals.

Coal accounts for one-third of Amsterdam’s transhipment business and the expansion will increase capacity by around 3m tons a year. Storage capacity will be increased by more than half a million tons.