Kyra Lemmens, Commercial Logistics Manager at the Port of Moerdijk, said that their port stands out as a multimodal hub focused primarily on maritime transport. Strategically located between the major ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, the port boasts seamless connectivity by road, rail and water transport, facilitating maritime and inland barging operations without interference from congestion, locks or tidal movements.
The 8.9 meter deep Port of Moerdijk embodies the characteristics of a typical seaport. Their connection extends beyond physical infrastructure; they use digital systems to effectively streamline operations. As part of the port authority, the company controls a vast area of 2,800 hectares and is responsible for maintaining and improving infrastructure, including railway networks, roads and waterways.
It is important to note that while the port authority controls the infrastructure, terminal operations are managed independently. This model, unique compared to other European or global ports, ensures a focus on efficient infrastructure management while giving terminal operators autonomy over their operations. In terms of capacity, the port handles a significant transshipment volume of 15.6 million tonnes, including 629,000 TEU per year, supported by a diverse fleet of seagoing, inland vessels and trains.
“The Port of Moerdijk is divided into specialized clusters with a significant industrial presence, including a renowned chemical plant operated by Shell. In addition, we have dedicated areas for bio-industry and marine activities, as well as ongoing expansion initiatives to meet growing needs. Our latest expansion project covers 140 hectares of warehouse space and is attracting investment from major players such as Lidl, who are set to build extensive warehouses totaling 200,000 square meters.
This expansion marks a turning point for the Port of Moerdijk, effectively doubling our warehouse capacity from one to two million square meters. As we pursue these growth trajectories, our comprehensive strategies are in line with industry standards, prioritizing efficiency, sustainability and innovation to maintain our position as a leading multimodal hub in Europe,” said Kyra Lemmens.
The Port of Moerdijk’s mission is to create sustainable connections with other logistics centers throughout Europe, optimizing the flow of goods and ensuring security, which are critical to the company’s operations. One of their key strategies is also to reduce visual pollution and promote sustainable cargo flows, with a particular focus on electrification and shore power initiatives in collaboration with port companies.
As the second largest container port and fourth largest seaport in the Netherlands, the Port of Moerdijk boasts extensive connections throughout Europe and beyond, reaching Norway, North Africa and the Canary Islands via inland barges and rail. They work closely with valued clients such as SCHAVEMAKER, who have established a vital rail link from Poland to the port of Moerdijk, running four times a week. This initiative alone removes 16,000 trailers from the road each year, significantly reducing CO2 emissions by almost nine million kilograms.
“One prime example of our sustainable connections is the BTT Tilburg multimodal terminal, which provides direct rail connections from Chengdu to Tilburg, reducing transit times from China to Europe to just 20 days compared to the usual 55 days by sea. Since Tilburg is located just 50 kilometers from the port of Moerdijk, cargo can easily be transshipped into our port and reach 31 destinations across Europe via shipping lines.
In conclusion, the Port of Moerdijk is committed to exploring and establishing new sustainable connections throughout Europe and the world. Our focus is on reducing our environmental impact, increasing electrification and developing cooperation with logistics partners,” concluded Kyra Lemmens.