APM Terminals (APMT) has announced that its new rail service between the Rotterdam terminal and Venlo, a key logistics hub on the Dutch-German border has been a resounding success so far, and it plans to more than double its weekly service.
According to a statement, Venlo, a key logistics hotspot, was identified by APMT as an opportunity for terminal following a gravity analysis involving key customers.
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A gravity analysis simplifies the paths taken by cargo through the terminal and helps identify opportunities to improve efficiency in the logistics chain.
Venlo was chosen as it was ideally located for servicing distribution centers of major retailers such as C&A, Primark, Tommy Hilfiger, Espirit and Zalando, just across the border.
Roy De Haan, Head of Commercial Management at Maasvlakte II, spoke of the rail service’s potential: “The terminal is equipped with a fully automated 500m barge berth, offering a reliable and efficient connection between Rotterdam and Venlo.
“However, with transport times of between six and seven days by barge, the new overnight rail service is very appealing to customers in industries such as fast fashion, where speed to market is an essential competitive advantage.”
The new rail service is available to all dee-sea carriers, as well as freight forwarders and directly to shippers.
Starting as a pilot at the end of 2018, with three services per week, APMT Maasvlakte II has further concrete plans to offer eight departures a week from July and 14 per week thereafter, subject to demand.
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