Increasing volumes to and via the North European ports represent a variety of challenges, and the terminal operators are in the process of introducing various measures to protect a reasonable cargo flow and minimize the dwell time at the terminals.
European Container Terminals BV, Rotterdam, have found it necessary to implement measures with the aim of restricting the use of terminals as storage area; these measures are to be valid for all their customers both at the ECT Delta Terminal and the ECT Home/Hanno Terminal.
In realization of the known impact such measures will potentially have on the hinterland logistics, the various measures will be implemented gradually and according to the below plan:
Quote from ECT
1. Cargo Opening Time
As from September 15th 2007 ECT will introduce a Cargo Opening Time for the acceptance of export containers. Containers will only be accepted 9 days before Estimated Time of Arrival of the outgoing vessel. This measure will apply for all containers full and empty, delivered by truck, barge, rail and feeder. Effective January 1st 2008 the Cargo opening Time will be further adjusted towards 7 days and an implementation of roll-over charges per container will be introduced.
2. Import containers
High numbers of dwelling full import containers in the stacking area are a major concern. We have prepared the possibility at the ECT Delta Terminal and Rail Terminal (RTW) to create additional storage capacity outside the main stacking areas. This means it is now possible to also take action in this respect. As from September 15th 2007 all import containers still present in the stacks 14 days after discharge are charged with a Yard Occupancy Charge (YOC) of EUR 55 per container. As of that moment, we will have the possibility to remove these containers from the main stacking areas, and store them outside these stacking areas. These containers can be available again for delivery with a notification of 48 hours in advance.
3. Information Exchange
ECT will further intensify the information exchange with deep-sea carriers on the utilization of the stacks. Close communication between deep-sea carriers and ECT Central Yard Management (CYM) will be a pre-requisite for close stack management. Responsible actions, like the removal of containers from the stacks, will be taken whenever necessary.
4. Empty management
ECT will continue the controlled management of the number of empty containers in the main stacking areas.
Unquote
The management of ECT is convinced that the above measures will alleviate the pressure on the operational stacks during the coming peak season and beyond.
