Broekman Group makes ambitious investment in Rotterdam in the Breakbulk sector
2012-05-31 | Filed under: Special Products
On 23 May, during the Breakbulk Europe Transportation Conference & Exhibition in Antwerp at the stand of the Broekman Group from Rotterdam, the symbolic green light was given for a major renovation project of the current Heavy Lift Centre, at the former RDM site at the Waalhaven in Rotterdam.
A painting was unveiled that showed a large artist’s impression of the area, followed by a toast to the success of the project.
This joint initiative of the Broekman Group and the Port of Rotterdam Authority comprises the redevelopment and modernisation of this area for the storage and transshipment of heavy and bulky cargo from the power and energy sector and offshore industry.
In his speech, Raymond Riemen, CEO of the Broekman Group, referred to the continuously growing position of the Port of Rotterdam as Breakbulk port in general and in particular the important position that Broekman Project Services, as a member of the Group, occupies in handling heavy and bulky objects and project cargo.
Riemen also drew attention to the growing demand from the industrial sector for the possibility of assembling objects in a safe, clean and covered environment with direct connection to the water. Broekman will soon offer clients this possibility.
Jouke Schaap, Director BreakBulk of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, then discussed the stimulus that the redevelopment of the RDM site gives the Breakbulk sector and the Stadshaven area. In redeveloping RDM-Oost, the Port Authority follows up on a series of projects that were realised over the past years together with Rotterdam businesses. This involved a total of around €100 million in new terminals and the improvement of existing facilities for Breakbulk, metals, paper, fruit, project cargo and roll on/roll off cargo. Market leader Rotterdam handled 25 million tonnes in this sector in 2011. In Northwest Europe, Antwerp was next with 17 million tonnes, and then Zeebrugge with 14 million tonnes.
Demolition of a number of old warehouses has already started.
The modernisation and redevelopment of the buildings and the site will be delivered in stages and the project is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2014.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority is investing more than €15 million in this project.