UK – BENELUX – As from this weekend SCS Multiport will add a brand new route to their current feeder service between Amsterdam and Tilbury to deliver Far East deep sea transhipment and continental loads between the container ports of Tilbury, Amsterdam and Zeebrugge. The new regular service, which begins on August 3, will run twice weekly directly between Zeebrugge and Tilbury, connecting East / West shipping lanes with the main trade route for London and the South East bringing a new option for both imports and exports to reach the Far East or London and its surrounding areas.
Port of Tilbury and Port of Zeebrugge / MBZ, say this option can provide substantial reductions for elements of road haulage without any loss in transit time and is a result of a strategic agreement between the ports to offer Far East deep sea transhipment opportunities and choice for customers to take advantage of both ports’ excellent service and logistical connections.
SCS Multiport as the operator for the strategic partnership will carry new transhipment volumes between Tilbury’s London Container Terminal and the deep water port of Zeebrugge, providing an East / West link into Tilbury, as well as a North / South link for Zeebrugge. In addition, SCS Multiport will as part of their close connection with CWT Europe (CWT Europe is one of the main shareholders), carry general goods from Western Europe and from Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. Commenting on the announcement, Perry Glading, Chief Operating Officer at Forth Ports (owners of Port of Tilbury and LCT) said:
“This is great news and a real opportunity to capitalise on Far East transhipment opportunities at both Ports, as well as capturing new volumes through the CWT European Network. We welcome SCS Multiport and CWT to the partnership and with their expertise, we can offer an alternative for large deep sea vessels. Tilbury has a unique position in the UK at the heart of the London and South East markets and using a regular feeder service from Zeebrugge, customers can take advantage of the excellent connectivity and accessibility that we have to the UK markets.”
The agreement will focus on enhancing container cargo volumes at Port of Zeebrugge and London Container Terminal (LCT) in Tilbury which is the UK’s 3rd largest container terminal. Carla Debart, Managing Director at APM Terminals Zeebrugge NV commented:
“We are very pleased that CWT chose Zeebrugge to expand their network. We welcome all new customers and are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation which will also be beneficial for our existing customers. Securing these connections will create more flexibility for our customers that is often needed.”
Zeebrugge’s container volumes are largely dominated by deep sea Far East volumes, while LCT has a particularly strong position on the South America trades through customers such as MSC, Maersk and CMA-CGM. LCT at Tilbury has a unique geographical position as London’s key port, while Zeebrugge has a unique deep-water location near the seagoing trade lanes. Zeebrugge also has a significant South America cargo base demand while Tilbury is an excellent gateway for Far East cargo for the London consumer markets. Joachim Coens, CEO of the Port of Zeebrugge said:
“This connection gives a unique and faster connectivity for our deep sea cargo into the heart of London. Furthermore, it strengthens both ports’ network into the European market. We look forward to working closely to promote the service into the market.”
Anton van Hattem MD of SCS Multiport was equally enthusiastic about the expansion of services on the western European route adding:
“We worked hard to develop this service with our partners Forth Ports, London Container Terminal and CWT-UK, Port of Zeebrugge, APMT and PSA. It is amazing what we have achieved in a few months and it shows what the strength of combined forces are. It is a pleasure to work with our partners and grow the business a few steps further than we can do as SCS Multiport”.
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