Port of Rotterdam: New ‘empty depot tool’ by InlandLinks
Online platform for intermodal transport in the port of Rotterdam offers new application to reduce empty containers traffic
InlandLinks, the port of Rotterdam’s online intermodal platform, has developed an application to reduce the transport of empty containers. The new ‘empty depot tool’ was festively launched at Rotterdam’s Kop van Zuid today. Hans Smits, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, and all of the shipping companies involved were present. It is estimated that 25 per cent (2.5 million TEU) of all containers shipped by truck, train or inland ship from/to Rotterdam are empty. The ‚transport of air‘ is not only expensive and inefficient, it also impacts the environment more than necessary.
The online application, called ‘empty depot tool’, shows, per connected shipping company, the inland terminals where shippers and logistic service providers can pick up and deposit empty containers, and reuse these containers for a new load later on. As a result, it is no longer necessary to always return the empty containers to Rotterdam. This is a logical choice, all the more so because the containers regularly return empty to a shipper in the hinterland for the next freight. This saves a great many unnecessary kilometres, which leads to lower costs and lower CO2 emissions.
There is a lot of confidence in the new application, as demonstrated by the large number of shipping companies that have already joined the platform. InlandLinks enables the shipping companies to give shippers and freight forwarders more insight into their intermodal services to and from Rotterdam’s hinterland. Hans Smits comments: “By strongly investing in the optimisation of the logistic chains, we strengthen our position as Europe’s largest port. oreover, good, reliable connections with our hinterland network are a spearhead with which Rotterdam distinguishes itself from other ports. The new application InlandLinks developed innovatively unites these two points.’
The InlandLinks website is a platform enabling inland terminals to present themselves on the market. The platform includes more than 50 terminals in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and a number of other European countries that have inland shipping and/or rail connections with Rotterdam. Site visitors can choose between the various terminals based on a wide variety of criteria, such as provisions, facilities and services.
www.portofrotterdam.com
Quelle: LogEastics
Portal: www.logistik-express.com