CLdN and Broekman bolster breakbulk focus in terminal deal

Distriport is a 22-ha site on the opposite side of Brittanniëhaven from CLdN’s existing Rotterdam terminal. The acquisition enables further grow for CLdN and diversifies its offering to include Distriport’s operations in ro-ro, load-on/load-off and breakbulk handling. 

The infrastructure at Distriport includes 630 m of quayside; container handling and storage facilities; 50,000 sq m of covered warehouses; breakbulk and high and heavy cargo handling equipment; and a rail head with 1.4 km of track. The terminal also boasts an all-weather terminal in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region and a humidity-controlled warehouse.

Florent Maes, ceo of CLdN, said: “The acquisition of Distriport fits perfectly with CLdN’s strategy of investing in high-quality port infrastructure. It will enable us to build on our own network of services in and out of Rotterdam and to provide additional benefits for existing and new customers.”

Broekman Logistics said that the transaction is the next step in realising its strategy to focus on being an end-to-end supply chain specialist within three market segments: machinery, industrial and chemicals. Distriport, as a multipurpose terminal that in addition to ro-ro trailers also handles steel and containers, does not align with that strategy.

Instead, Broekman Logistics is investing its Project Services terminal at Rotterdam-Heijplaat, converting it into a quayside location for assembly and technical services for industrial and offshore equipment and heavy machinery. It recently added crane capacity and a technical assembly hall at the terminal, which houses the largest indoor heavy lift crane in the port of Rotterdam.

Nicolas Parey, chief financial officer of Broekman Logistics, said: “When our neighbour CLdN approached us we realised that this transaction could further boost our already successful strategy. Furthermore, we will also actively explore how our assembly and ‘postponed manufacturing’ service offering can be expanded.”