Port of Zeebrugge – market access
www.shippingchina.com 2009-06-03 10:12:19
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Guests,
After the port introduction allow me to highlight its markets and how to reach these markets.
In order to do so, we would like to cover following points :
- geographical location
- modal split
- the network of services rail – road – barges
- our strategy on growth
- the distribution possibilities.
The port of Zeebrugge, is situated at the coast of the North Sea, the busiest maritime trading area in the world.
- right in the centre of Europe serving dense consuming areas.
- the capital of Europe , Brussels is only 100 km away.
- 65 % of cargo flows result from intense trading with its neighbouring countries, the UK – France – Germany and the Netherlands, Luxemburg and of course Belgium.
- but its market penetration reaches further out to the North – Scandinavia – Finland – Russia through the Baltic.
To the south Spain, Portugal and Italy.
To the east Austria – Tschechia – Slovenia – Hungary.
In order to do so, the port of Zeebrugge can rely on an excellent infrastructural network that serves its logistics.
And this not only to the east but also to connect with the south.
In order to give you an idea on distances and timing – service levels, please see following chart.
Within the day the whole Benelux is served and France up to the Paris basin. On the German side the Ruhr area – Duisburg – Köln – Düsseldorf. On UK the London markets.
All within the day!
Over two days the whole UK is covered most of Germany and France.
Within three days from order picking, delivery in Spain and Italy is covered.
As can be seen an intense network of rail, road and barge network is available to reach the markets with a multitude of possibilities
The chart marks only the main motorways, railway lines and rivers and is far from complete. It only illustrates the many possibilities to reach the port of Zeebrugge.
Zeebrugge is a coastal port. Up to now we have discovered the hinterland links north – south. But our port has more to offer!
The coastal port of Zeebrugge has an intense and unique network of maritime freight services to the Baltic, Scandinavia in the north; the UK and Ireland in the west. Spain and Portugal in the south.
The frequency of these services is so intense that virtual for any load at any time multiple possibilities are offered.
To the north:
Daily service into Gothenburg
Three services/week into Esbjerg
Three services/week into Malmö – Gdynia -Talinn – Sint-Petersburg
Moss – Halda – Slogn
Helsingborg.
To the west – UK - Ireland:
14 daily services to a range of ports covering the whole east coast of UK from the south to the north .
Purfleet – Tilbury – Southampton – Felixtowe –Thamesport - Hull – Middlesbrough – Teesport – Killingholme – Grimsby .
To Ireland: Cork – Dublin – Waterford – Warren Point.
To the south: Spain and Portugal
Daily services into Bilbao – Santander – Pasages - Vigo – Setubal.
Some specific logistic products to and from our port are:
Rail:
11 shuttle daily trains on the route Antwerp – Zeebrugge
Daily freight train with Duisburg in Germany.
Daily freight train with Ludwigshafen in Germany.
Twice weekly freight service with Köln.
Three times a week freight train with Lyon in France.
Same frequency with Dourges in Northern France.
15 freight trains to Northern Italy per week.
Inland waterways:
Daily barge services with Antwerp – Willebroek-Meerhout.
Road haulage:
1 mio truck loads per year are combined from and to our port to and from destinations all over Europe.
Feeders:
20 daily departures of feeders and freight ferries to the Baltic, Scandinavia, UK and Ireland and Southern Europe.
And so, ladies and gentlemen, if one is to add all these possibilities onto a chart, one ends up with an intense and complicated network of services. One thing is for sure. The port of Zeebrugge is extremely well connected to reach the markets!
Not to forget the dominant relation in deep sea container and automotive links as stated before.
We have indeed 10 fixed weekly container services with all major carriers: China Shipping Container Lines, CMA-CGM, Maersk, Evergreen, New World Alliance, WWL.
And a whole range of ports are served: Shanghai, Hong Kong, Yantian, Chiwan, Dalian, Tianjin, Xingang, Ningbo, Qingdao and Xiamen.
And how better to describe our relation with China: trade has tripled over the past 4 years!
What is there to be added.
The importance and presence of Chinese interests in our port is growing substantial.
More and more the Zeebrugge gateway is discovered.
If we look at the overall throughput of the port – some 42 mio tonnes, the balance import-export is more or less achieved.
At a closer look the container sector shows a more pronounced export trend.
In fact these statistics highlight opportunities for exporters into Europe through our port.
It shows an imbalance in the usage of the transport modes. Trucks – railcars – barges – feeders arrive at the port fully loaded but return inland with some idle capacity at offer. Hence for your logistics, one can expect aggressive and competitive conditions to reach your customers.
In the car trade same export trend, although less pronounced, prevails. Again importing into Europe through our port should bear cost effective logistics and an excellent market access.
In the usage of the transport modes there is of course a dominancy for road transportation (more than 50 %).
Most cargoes within a 300 km – 400 km range are trucked.
But also rail for further destinations has quite a market share and as a coastal port, transhipment is a substantial part of the activity.
By closer look into the container sector, the truck mode is still the dominant player but rail takes our third of the activity. A high proposition in comparison to other ports. Of course transhipment mainly to UK is part of the feature.
If we now have highlighted the activity of the port, its access to the markets both inland and maritime, it is usefull to consider its existing and future capacities.
In the container sector two main port operators are active: PSA on the one hand
To the other APM-T.
Both have expansion plans under way.
As such by 2012, the port capacity will be increased to reach 5 mio teu/ year.
But not only in the terminals but also in the hinterland road -, rail -, canal projects are implemented to follow the projected growth.
By 2025 we want to increase the scope of the outer port and reach a port capacity of 8 mio teu +.
But is not just the port that is expanded.
Simultaniously all transport modes are improved around the port.
For the road transportation a new infrastructure will link up all motorways which are reaching all port area’s direct.
All freight traffic is isolated from urban city traffic.
For rail, the marchalling yards capacity are increased. The east and west zone of the port are linked and a new freight track to inland will be invested upon.
Lastly, on the inland waterways, the port will link up with the European Seine Nord project whereby 4,000 ton barges will navigate freely between the port and European barge destination in the North and South.
The role and importance of Zeebrugge might be a discovery for you today.
This role is there to grow in importance.
Zeebrugge will become a main European logistic maritime platform.
This growth in trade means for Chinese exporter that the connectivity, the number and frequency of destinations served, will even further increase and hence further improve his market penetration.
And therefore, separate from the port function we open a maritime logistic zone – a distribution centre with bonded warehouse regimes.
Cargoes can be imported, stored, re-assemble etc. Taxes only being due upon delivery to the customer.
This area, 100 ha in size is road and rail linked.
As per the business plan area’s are leased allowing for starter needs and thereafter, future expansions.
Hence, in the immediate vicinity, the port function is at disposal with the whole network of services both short sea and deep sea. And to reach your customers, the European hinterland connections are at your doorstep.
We have foreseen a number of formulars in order to support various strategies:
Case 1
The Chinese exporter wants to start with as less capital and fixed costs tied up.
In that case, a local European logistic provider puts at your disposal the necessary warehousing and service facilities. An agreement is reached order picking, value added services and delivery terms to the customers.
As such only variable cost per item or per pallet is charged all inclusive.
Case 2
The Chinese exporter wants dedicated facilities with own branch office. However with no tied in capital.
In that case specialized logistic operators discuss the needs in terms of warehouse and office size and invest in the facilities.
Thereafter these facilities are put at your disposal at lease cost.
Case 3
The Chinese is already active on the European scene. He wants to restructure in order to save on costs or wants full control.
The business case is discussed with the port authority and capacities in terms of size and needs is put aside. A long term lease agreement on the land is reached. The same port authority assists in technical issues and building permits.
The investment is realized and the activity takes off.
So ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, we really want to be you partner in order to make your European sales a total success!
