Largest terminals open 24/5
MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) and DP World Antwerp Gateway are extending their opening times from 0500 hours (DP World) and 0530 (MPET) non-stop through to Saturday morning at 0530. This means that hauliers can now load and unload their containers even after 2230 hours on quay 1700 (DP World) and quay 1742 (MPET). Buy Shipping Buy Shipping Container Nashville Nashville can be delivered and collected during the week in a constant flow, thus smoothing out the peak periods.
Extended quiet period
DP World Antwerp Gateway handles 1,700 trucks per day on average, while at MPET the figure is 2,600 per day. Analysis has shown that the concentration of trucks at both terminals starts to rise from 1100 hours onwards, reaching a peak at 1700. Then after 1930 the number starts to decline once more. By permitting drivers to arrive during the night as well, the quiet period can be extended considerably.
“We have already taken various operational measures to make truck handling on our terminal more efficient,” says Dirk Oellibrandt, general manager at MPET. “By extending the opening hours we are taking another important step in this direction. Operating round the clock like this will give carriers a much wider window, thus smoothing out the peaks and reducing waiting times. We hope that all the other players in the supply chain will support this initiative.”
Better service
By extending the opening hours and smoothing out the peaks the terminal operators will also be able to offer a better service. The road hauliers in particular were eager to adopt this measure, and a number of shippers also plan to adapt their opening hours so as to also receive loads outside peak periods.
“At Van Moer Logistics, our reliability and punctuality are vital to our customers. We are pleased that structural measures are being considered so that we can serve our customers and warehouses outside the congestion hours. We support this 100%, and we count on the collaboration of all stakeholders who can contribute to its success,” declared Jo Van Moer, CEO of Van Moer Logistics.
The initiative for the measure comes from the terminal operators, along with MSC, and is supported by the wider port community. However, in order to make a success of the 24/5 opening it is essential for everyone to cooperate. Support from the shippers and logistics service providers is crucial, for example by also extending the opening hours of warehouses both inside the port and beyond it. Hopefully the shipping operators too will show more flexibility. At MPET, Medrepair (S11) will also adopt the extended opening hours as of 1 April. Global Container Services, the empties depot for Antwerp Gateway, is holding back for the moment but is already open from 0500 to 2130. At Antwerp Gateway on the other hand the block stack (park 3 on quay 1700) will also be open around the clock so that trucks can call there for empty containers.
Fewer trucks congesting the roads
This initiative by the terminal operator and MSC should also lead to fewer trucks on the road during rush hours, thus helping to reduce congestion. In this way the port will contribute to smoother traffic on the road network in and around Antwerp.
“This night opening could be a breakthrough for mobility and for the accessibility of the port. To make a success of the initiative it is crucial for all parties involved to actively collaborate and show the necessary flexibility of operation,” says Chris Coeck, strategy & analysis manager at Antwerp Port Authority.
