EUROGATE builds up inland container terminal network

The forecasts for container growth at the German North Sea ports are necessitating new concepts to secure handling capacities. In light of the figures, EUROGATE has decided to build up an inland container terminal network. The goal is to take the pressure off the sea terminals and improve customer service. The concept envisages taking delivery of and collecting containers inland. At the customer's request, EUROGATE or other services providers can assume the transport from and to the sea terminals either by rail, inland waterway or road. This will bring the sea port a step closer to its end customers. The network will go into operation on 2 January 2009 and will be realised together with partner companies. EUROGATE has already concluded contracts with six inland container terminals for the handling of transhipment and storage activities. Additional inland locations are planned.

Emanuel Schiffer, Chairman of the EUROGATE Group Management: “This concept offers a lot of advantages. On the one hand, the existing infrastructure can be more efficiently utilised by consolidating transport operations. The inland terminals will become points of consolidation for hinterland traffic. On the other hand, they will allow us to significantly reduce the container storage times at the sea terminals. This will increase our productivities and benefit customers. Given the ever tighter handling capacities, the time has now come to implement a concept of this kind.”

EUROGATE has already concluded contracts with the following partners: Mindener Hafen GmbH, Magdeburger Hafen GmbH, Container Terminal Dortmund GmbH, Auto-Terminal-Wiesau GmbH in cooperation with Pöhland Speditionsgesellschaft mbH, Gernsheimer Umschlags- und Terminalbetriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG as well as with BLG Logistics for the Neustädter Hafen in Bremen. All facilities have trimodal transport possibilities (except Wiesau). It is planned to offer the full range of EUROGATE container services at all locations, such as full container and empty container storage, container repair and maintenance service or the selling and leasing of containers.

Source: Transportweekly