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Samskip and PSA HNN to develop shortsea container business in Zeebrugge
The leading European multimodal specialist Samskip and the terminal operator PSA HNN are to cooperate in the development of the Port of Zeebrugge as an important hub for shortsea container activities in Northern Europe.
Samskip, together with PSA HNN, has conducted a market study evaluating the benefits and possibilities of expanding its business by using a Belgian gateway. Having reached a positive conclusion, Samskip has accepted PSA HNN’s offer to develop a dedicated solution for its future growth.
Samskip will use PSA HNN's container terminal facilities to expand its intra-European multimodal operations utilising the excellent rail, road and barge links available to the European hinterland.
The first service within this agreement will call at PSA HNN's Container Handling Zeebrugge terminal on 18 January. As from then, Samskip will provide a weekly connection between Zeebrugge and Irish ports.
According to Frank Kho, Head Container Division of PSA HNN, this new business is a key development for Zeebrugge to position itself as a strategically located shortsea container port:
"PSA HNN is a highly experienced deepsea terminal operator but we recognised some time ago that we were ignoring a potentially huge extra source of business, namely the fast-growing shortsea market. We have studied closely the special needs of shortsea operators and together with Samskip we have developed a product that will ensure the fast and efficient processing of shortsea containers through the Port of Zeebrugge."
For Samskip, the development of a second Benelux hub port is extremely important, explains Paul Swaak, COO of Samskip Multimodal Container Logistics:
"Our business continues to expand and we knew that unlike most major European ports, Zeebrugge had spare capacity and room to grow as demand warranted. We also knew that in PSA HNN, we had identified a partner with whom we could work and who would be committed to delivering a tailor-made solution very different to that demanded by deepsea carriers.
"Zeebrugge has excellent connections to the European hinterland and easy access to the North Sea. With the extra cargo volumes we expect to bring to the port, we believe we can contribute positively to the development of these inland connections, especially the encouragement of new intermodal rail links. Zeebrugge will enable Samskip to grow its existing business and simultaneously explore new markets."
