15 bidders for new Maasvlakte Rotterdam box terminals

15 bidders for new Maasvlakte Rotterdam box terminals    As many as 15 major international container terminal operators and container shipping lines have told the port of Rotterdam they are interested in operating a terminal in the future “Maasvlakte 2” port expansion complex.
   The Dutch port welcomed the interest among the industry in the large development, which would add a handling capacity of about 8 million TEUs a year to the port. The port of Rotterdam reported today that most companies interested in the project have said that, as far as they are concerned, Maasvlakte 2 “cannot be finished quickly enough.”
   In April, the port of Rotterdam asked container companies to officially apply if they wanted to be considered for a location on Maasvlakte 2.
   The port said its procedure is focused on selecting a party that submits a proposal that yields returns so that costs of construction can be recovered while reinforcing Rotterdam’s competitive position in container throughput.
   The port plans to invite companies to bid formally for the first franchise for a terminal on Maasvlakte 2 and will then negotiate with them.
   A contract with a “launching customer” is the precondition for the actual start of construction. This is planned for the beginning of 2008.