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NETHERLANdS NYK in pole position


NYK Logistics is in the process of transforming itself into Yusen Logistics, as the Japanese- owned shipping and transport giant merges its supply chain and forwarding activities under one banner. The merger is due to take effect in the Benelux region, along with most other parts of Europe, on 1 April. Hans van der Eijk is NYK Logistics’ commercial general


manager based at Ridderkerk, a fast growing intermodal hub on the river Maas to the south- east of Rotterdam. He says: “Yes, it will have a big impact here in the Netherlands, but there is a very good fit between the two companies’ business. Yusen is active in airfreight, while NYK Logistics is mainly in ocean, land transport and contract logistics. Moreover, Yusan’s business is


mainly Japanese, while NYK Logistics deals more with Europe and the Americas.” There will also be some rearrangement of divisions, with the Netherlands moving from a North Continent organisation into a new Benelux division. Depots will remain as they are, but Yusen’s Air and Sea freight forwarding activities will move from Rotterdam to Ridderkerk.


There will also be benefits


from common IT systems, simpler pricing and quicker response to customer queries, says Hans van der Eijk.


Ridderkerk is an interesting location, he continues. It is close to one of the biggest rail yards in Europe – NYK makes frequent use of block and other train services to the south of the Netherlands - and there is also a thriving barge terminal. The area is also astride the main motorway network but is largely free of the traffic problems that affect much of the greater Rotterdam


2011 The UK and Ireland's leading transport and logistics event NEC Birmingham • 5-7 April 2011


area. It also happens to be across the river from the proposed inland waterway ‘Transferium’ at Alblasserdam. There are also plans to expand the existing terminal at Ridderkerk. “A lot of the global players have a presence here, and from here to Tilburg in the south there’s a line of European Distribution Centres,” he explains. Benelux is a big market for


NYK Logistics. In teu terms the Benelux ports account for 22m out of a European total of around 55m, but NYK Logistics deals with a lot more than just this corner of Europe at Ridderkerk; it handles a lot of re-exports to Russia, by rail and short-sea shipping, for example. “Actually, this facility is full and


we are looking for an additional site in this area at the moment,” Hans van der Eijk continues. “There are still some vacant sites, due to the recession, but there is generally a shortage of land around Rotterdam. Usually, it’s a case of taking over an existing building rather than developing a new site.” Despite these pressures,


rents in the Netherlands are very reasonable, especially considering that it is such a prime piece of logistics real estate. As one of the most densely populated parts of Europe, it should logically be among the most expensive, but only Belgium is cheaper of the neighbouring


The UK and Ireland’s only event dedicated to more effi cient freight transport & logistics and supply chain management


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ISSUE 1 2011


countries, and only slightly so, says van der Eijk. “Which country you choose of the two depends on which origin and destination you’re dealing with. Rotterdam is good for China,


but Zeebrugge and Antwerp tend to be first port of call from India, and certain parts of the US, while Belgium is also good for exports to Africa. “But a lot of the business these days is to and from China, which naturally benefits Rotterdam.” There has been a shift in


NYK Logistics’ client base in the Netherlands, adds Hans van der Eijk.


“It used to be mainly Japanese-based multinationals, but nowadays there are also a lot medium-sized western companies, in automotive parts, electronics, mobile phones, toys, bicycles and so on.” Hans de Visser concludes: “Another advantage of running a logistics operation in the Netherlands is that goods in bonded status do not have to be stored in pre-assigned areas of the warehouse. “When you have the right


customs accreditation in place, goods can be stored freely in the warehouse as long as the stock administration remains accurate. This is unlike most EU countries where storage is more restricted and goods have to be stored in dedicated racks which cannot be used for other customers.”


Ireland comes to the Netherlands


Visit FBJ On Stand 902


Freight • Transport • Logistics • Supply Chain Management 5-7 April 2011, NEC Birmingham, UK


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One corner of the port of Waalhaven in Rotterdam will be forever Ireland. Tracco was set up nine years ago by Tommy Rodgers and Tracco managing director Hans Koppenaal to provide a presence in the Dutch gateway, which is the main conduit for TR Shipping’s traffic between Ireland, the Continent and further afield. However, Tracco has since developed a sizeable Asia- continent traffic of its own, says Koppenaal. “Ireland was about 60-70% of our business; now it’s more like 25%.” Tracco and Rotterdam nevertheless remain very important to the Irish trade, he explains. “Most of the Belfast containers move via Rotterdam. We provide guidance and cross-docking and ensure that everything runs smoothly. We can also do customs clearance here for Irish-bound traffic – and the Netherlands is the only place where that would be possible.” Shipping to Ireland via Rotterdam is much cheaper than via England, Hans Koppenaal contends, especially for LCL cargo. It can also be quicker; there are trailer services every day and container services twice


a week, which are slower but cheaper. TR Shipping is actually the agent of BG Freight Line but Tracco also uses Eucon and Samskip services. Tracco also operates 6-7 groupage containers a week from China to Rotterdam, which acts as the hub for the whole of Europe. Freight rates are pretty poor at the moment, but if you can do other services like fiscal representation or packing than you can make a living. There are also 4-5 containers a week from India. Tracco works with local agent St John Freight Services, which has also started to expand outside India. St John has its own office in Rotterdam, but Tracco handles its warehousing. As one might expect, given


the company’s history, there are also several important Irish customers, including Craigavon- based flooring specialist, Interface. The company buys its yarns in India, and Tracco holds a centralised stock which it feeds to Interface facilities both in Northern Ireland and the Netherlands. Similarly, Tracco supplies facilities in both NI and the Netherlands for forklift maker Hyster.


Free to attend


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