Blue Water Shipping has put into operation a brand-new multiterminal covering 116,000 m2 in the East Port area. According to Ole Ingrisch, port director, this is extremely good news for RoRo traffic at the Port of Esbjerg. He is also pleased that the terminal will be using the port’s two newly built RoRo ramps.
Blue Water Shipping, one of the largest stakeholders in cargo handling at the Port of Esbjerg, is significantly expanding its quayside facilities with a new harbour terminal that has already been put into operation. The reason for the new terminal is that 80% of Blue Water Shipping’s activities are now based at the East Port. It therefore makes sense to open a new multiterminal there.
The timing is perfect. At the end of 2017, two new RoRo ramps were completed – also in the East Port. According to Port Director Ole Ingrisch, improved conditions for RoRo traffic have been one of the major focus areas in the establishment of the East Port. He is therefore happy about the new terminal:
“RoRo traffic has always been one of the core business areas for the Port of Esbjerg. The new terminal is ideally located in relation to the two new RoRo ramps, which we completed in the autumn, and traffic will have direct access to the E20 motorway from the terminal area,” explains Ole Ingrisch, who also highlights that the new terminal is very much needed.
The wind turbine industry has introduced RoRo vessels to its logistics concept and is using the existing ramps more and more. The port is also experiencing increased use by existing RoRo customers.
When the terminal is completed in the spring, it will comprise four fully automatic gates and 1,600 m2 of workshops, washing facilities and offices.
Good for the city and port
The Port of Esbjerg has worked on a new approach road to the port for the new port areas in the East Port. This has just been completed and links up via the existing roundabout at Gammelby Ring Road and Estrupvej.
The approach road will provide direct access from the new terminal area out to the E20 motorway. It provides a good logistical basis for the new terminal, as lorries can be expected to save both time and fuel by driving directly from the terminal out to the E20.
“In the master plan for the East Port, which was prepared in 2004, we emphasised that the new port areas should be flexible and able continuously to adapt to suit customer needs. It has become evident that this approach has been vital for attracting activities to the East Port,” says Ole Ingrisch.
The new terminal is not just good news for the port, but also for the city. The eastern location means that the traffic of more than 400 lorries a day will be diverted away from the city. Among others, these will be lorries from the DFDS Immingham-Esbjerg route, which will be able to drive directly to the motorway when the ferries call at the terminal in the East Port in the future.
“It goes without saying that both traffic safety and the environment will benefit from reducing traffic jams in the city centre. We hope it will mean something to everyone who spends time near the port that traffic congestion will be reduced from the crossing of Toldbodgade, in the East Port and on Estrupvej,” says Ole Ingrisch.
DFDS to be the first customer
The new terminal has been put into operation earlier than planned because DFDS announced before Christmas that the company would be giving up its current areas at the port to use the new terminal instead for its Immingham-Esbjerg route. Blue Water has therefore chosen to open the terminal already so that DFDS ships can use the facilities.
“Naturally, we are sad when a faithful customer gives up its areas, but we have enjoyed the time we have had together. The most important fact is really that DFDS will continue to use the Port of Esbjerg and maintain its daily Immingham-Esbjerg route. Now it will just be from a different and better terminal,” comments Ole Ingrisch on the decision by DFDS.
Source: Port of Esbjerg