Port of Rotterdam Authority makes $3.57m available for barge congestion solutions

The port has struggled with bottlenecks and long wait times for inland cargo for months, leading the port authority to meet with stakeholders to open up funds and discuss solutions.

   The Rotterdam Port Authority has made 3 million euros (U.S. $3.57 million) available to fund initiatives that will ease the barge congestion and cargo wait times currently affecting inland shipping.
   Stakeholders, including APM Terminals, Koninklijke BLN-Schuttevaer, the Port of Rotterdam and many others, met with the port authority to discuss the various signals received in recent months about increasing waiting times.
   At the meeting last week, the Port of Rotterdam Authority outlined the initiatives that are already in place, including a link between the container terminals on the Maasvlakte which will enable the straightforward swapping of containers, the port authority said. Additionally, the Port Authority is working on “digital solutions” for better insight into the availability of inland shipping capacity.
   “I am delighted that today we have had a very positive and constructive discussion with all organizations involved. It gives us great hope to note that there is a willingness among organizations to continue to put the importance of fast and efficient handling first in the changing and competitive container market,’ said Allard Castelein, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority. “It is essential for everyone involved to realize that container handling benefits from a smooth-running logistics chain.” 
   The congestion is partially contributed to the increased volume growth from the new alliances as well as the cyber attack on two terminals which caused delays for two weeks – both of which have caused above-average wait times for barge traffic, said the port authority.
   The port authority noted that certain conditions must be met in order to qualify for a loan from the three-million-euro fund. A following meeting, at which progress and additional solutions will be discussed, is planned for November.

Correction: A previous version of this story listed the USD conversion figure in billions.