After months of delays thanks to Rotterdam’s bold (and protected) seagulls, Bertschi has finished the expansion of its terminal in the port. It now has more storage space and equipment for dangerous goods.
Now that the expansion has concluded, the Bertschi terminal has a total storage capacity of 7,300 TEU, an expansion of over 1,000 TEU. A total of 2,200 TEU are reserved specifically for dangerous goods, the company says. The terminal also received an HVO filling station for terminal vehicles and reachstackers.
Besides storage space, containers can now also be heated with steam, electricity or hot water. That allows for safe storing of temperature-sensitive products.
Bertschi explains that for this expansion at plot C2, “22,000 cubic metres of earth were moved, 930 cubic metres of cement processed and 800,000 stones laid to prepare the areas for the use of reach stackers.” What’s more, the sewers are designed so that they can be used as certified retention basins for dangerous goods in an emergency, the transport company says.
Image: © Bertschi
Avian obstruction
The terminal expansion is Bertschi’s answer to consistently high demand for container storage space in Rotterdam, particularly for dangerous goods. Construction works were met with unexpected setbacks, however. The presence of seagulls delayed progress for months. “As the birds are under special protection in the Netherlands, construction work was interrupted again and again. We hope that they enjoyed their time with us – and that they will not return. We certainly won’t miss them.”
The company’s Rotterdam terminal has a direct rail and sea connection. “These versatile transport options make the terminal a high-performance hub for the chemical industry and international transshipment of goods”, says Bertschi.