The Port of Rotterdam Authority and Vopak are collaborating in the construction of a new jetty at Vopak’s terminal in the Europoort. The Port of Rotterdam announced today the ceremonial driving of the first pile, marking the start of the construction work for the project.

The new jetty is being constructed to accommodate the growth in deliveries of oil products to and from the Port of Rotterdam.

Hans Smits, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Port of Rotterdam Authority explains: "In the past the jetties were constructed by the companies. However, a few years ago the Port of Rotterdam Authority also began to invest in these facilities, usually in the substructure.

"Liquid bulk goods are a growth market, and the port of Rotterdam intends to grow with the market. In addition to their commercial appeal, sufficient jetties and bollards literally offer a safe haven for the board-to-board transshipments of oil products that currently take place on the open sea".

Rob Nijst, President of Vopak Oil EMEA, added: "We are extremely pleased with the construction of this new jetty, which constitutes an essential element of our growth strategy for Vopak's Rotterdam oil terminals. In response to the growing demand for the storage of oil products we are currently constructing additional tanks for the storage of fuel oil and the storage of jet fuel. This additional capacity gives cause to the need for a new jetty for efficient deliveries to and from the terminal."

Feature of the new jetty include:

• Length: 653 metres
• 2 berths for seavessels up to 150.000 dwt (can be used for barges as well)
• 2 berths for barges up to 20.000dwt
• 4 fuel oil loading arms 12" for seavessels (2 per berth)
• 4 fuel oil loading arms 10" for barges (1 per berth)
• 1 jet/gasoil loading arm 12" for seavessels
• 2 jet loading arms 10" for barges
• 1 gasoil loading arm 10" for barges

The depth of this area of the port is such that extra long piles are required for the jetty. The jetty will rest on a total of 186 steel piles (of diameter of as much as nearly 1 metre and lengths to almost 50 metres). A further 43 steel piles (of diameter up to 3 metres and lengths in excess of 50 metres) will be required for the catwalks, fender walls and bollards.