Dutch forwarder, European ports plan short sea link

Dutch forwarder, European ports plan short sea link    Van Bon, a Dutch forwarder and logistic service provider, is planning a Spain/Netherlands maritime link for fruit shipments in cooperation with the ports of Rotterdam, Cadiz, Algeciras and Cartagena.
   The fruit shipments, currently moved by road between Spain and The Netherlands, will instead be shipped by sea on the proposed short sea link
   Van Bon will operate a new fruit terminal in the Waalhaven area of the port of Rotterdam. The forwarder will handle the warehouse part of the terminal, while the stevedoring company Steinweg Handelsveem will be responsible for loading and unloading ships. Both containerized and palletized cargo will be handled at the new facility.      
   According to the port of Rotterdam, the European Commission has been asked to include the Spain/Netherlands maritime link project in its “Marco Polo” promotion program. The European subsidy program aims to shift cargo from the road to water and rail.
   “Currently Van Bon is collaborating with the ports of Cadiz, Algeciras and Cartagena for this project,” the port of Rotterdam said. In the second phase, the Spanish ports of Huelva and Almeria will be added.
   Van Bon is also building a cold store facility in the port of Cadiz. The ports of Algeciras and Cartagena already have the required facilities.
   During the first season, 100,000 tons of fruit are expected to be carried, the port of Rotterdam said.
   Spanish fruit exporters are understood to be concerned about worsening road transport problems.