Work starts on expanding Port of Rotterdam terminal

WORK has started at the European Port of Rotterdam to expand Broekman DistriPort at the Brittanniehaven in the Botlek area.

The work is intended to double the terminal's capacity, in phases, to around three million tonnes of steel, iron, metals and project cargo a year at a cost EUR13 million (US$18.46 million) by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, a statement said.

Contractor Kraaijenveld is currently extending the quay by 120 metres on the eastern side of the terminal to develop a second berth that is expected to be available from November 2009, with a length of 243 metres and a depth of 12.65 metres, for vessel of up to 50,000 tons. The site behind has already been developed, said the port. Starting at the end of this year, the western quay will also be extended. This work is scheduled for completion in March 2010.

Broekman DistriPort currently has a surface area in the region of 20 hectares, including 35,000 square metres of covered storage. The quay has a length of 540 metres, of which 75 metres is covered.

(Source: www.schednet.com)