The Port of Amsterdam is growing in importance for freight operators. While a train departed eastbound to make the first direct link with Yiwu in China, it will soon commence with two new services in the other direction. The Port has signed an agreement with multimodal forwarder Samskip to facilitate a three-weekly direct link to the overseas port of Hull in the UK, following the example of the Port of Rotterdam.

The shortsea link will become operative mid-March, with vessels departing from Amsterdam on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Samskip already offers barge and rail systems connecting the European hinterland to Amsterdam, and further multimodal services into Tilbury and Grangemouth across theNorth Sea.

“Along with local opportunities, the Port of Amsterdam is well suited for cost-efficient multimodal connections to and from most parts of Europe. Samskip will build out further new connections to/from Amsterdam representing a significant extension in reach for the continental multimodal services of Samskip connecting the UK”, Richard Beales, Trade Director UK at Samskip said.

Port of Amsterdam

The Holland Cargo Terminal, the strategically-located facility at the port features three 750m length intermodal rail tracks directly on the sea terminal, avoiding any transfer cost. “Attracting Samskip to TMA Amsterdam makes plain the discrete appeal of Amsterdam in the UK-Netherlands route and will allow TMA Logistics to demonstrate its full range of value added handling, storage and distribution services. We have done a lot to attract Samskip and we certainly hope and expect to expand business through this new arrangement including expanding multimodal links”, Michael van Toledo of TMA Logistics said.

Commenting on the new arrangement, Femke Brenninkmeijer, Director Energy, Cargo & Offshore of the Port of Amsterdam expained: “We are delighted to welcome Europe’s largest multimodal service provider to the Port of Amsterdam and to the new opportunities available to serve its customers by short sea, rail, inland barge and truck. Amsterdam’s location, its advantageous hinterland links, and its strong commitment to its logistics partners benefit the regional and European industry and consumers alike.”