Efficient container transport can result in exceptional handling speeds. At Hutchison Ports Venlo, containers that have been unloaded at the deepsea terminals in Rotterdam are sometimes on the train to Venlo the very same day. The strategically situated trimodal terminal thus puts into practice the theory outlined in our previous article on rail-based container transport. Managing Director Daniel ten Ham and Operations Manager Erwin Bout discuss the unique rail connection between Venlo and the deepsea terminals in the port of Rotterdam.
Hutchison Ports Venlo; an intermodal hub terminal
The rail terminal of Hutchison Ports Venlo became operational 43 years ago and was one of the first railway terminals in the Netherlands; it also was and still is one of the largest. Point-to-point connections with APMT-II, Hutchison Ports Delta II, ECT Delta, ECT Euromax and RWG ensure that about 24 trains per week transport containers from the port of Rotterdam to the hinterland and vice versa. Thanks to this connectivity, a container unloaded in Rotterdam is often ready for departure to Venlo by rail the very same day—a level of speed that few other rail operators can match.
The handling speed at the terminal in Venlo also ensures a highly efficient processing of rail container transport. While trains in the seaport often have to wait eight to twelve hours to be handled, trains at the rail terminal in Venlo are unloaded and loaded within two hours. Within this timeframe, more than 90 handlings are performed.
The addition of the barge terminal in Venlo sixteen years ago made it possible to transport containers to other locations, including Rotterdam city, Moerdijk and Antwerp. Following the recent expansion of the site from 2 to 5.5 hectares, the terminal now has space to accommodate four ships simultaneously. Approximately five to six of the company’s ships are unloaded and loaded at the terminal each week. Third-party barges call at the Venlo terminal as part of their routes as well. At present, about two-thirds of all containers are transported by rail and one-third by barge. The ambition for the future is to achieve a 50/50 balance between the two modes. With its combination of rail, barge and road transport, Hutchison Ports Venlo serves as a comprehensive intermodal hub terminal: a gateway where various modes of transport connect seamlessly.
Digitisation based on the Modality system
Since the Venlo terminal implemented the Modality system 21 years ago, it has been continuously optimising and expanding it. The system now forms the heart of the operational and administrative processes, from train planning to invoicing.
A selection of the modules used:
- Pre-notification of deepsea terminals and sharing of train composition via HCN Rail: ‘Pre-notifications’ and ‘Train Composition’ messages can be shared directly with Portbase through an interface.
- Wagon planning: The Modality system is used to record wagon data, wagon sets and types and configure the entire train journey.
- Container planning: Containers are assigned to specific wagon positions, offering planners real-time insight into loading and capacity.
- Order processing and invoicing: Transport, handling and storage are automatically processed and invoiced via Modality.
- Reporting and documents: Both operational and financial reports are immediately available.
Furthermore, various functionalities are available for truck handling and access management, including:
- DIY (Self-Service) Counters: Approximately 80% of the drivers report via the self-service counter.
- Remote Check-in (truck pre-notification portal): (external) Drivers can digitally pre-notify their arrival before reaching the terminal, further speeding up access and reducing the physical administration.
- Gate application at the barrier: Combined with the pre-notification portal, this makes truck traffic flow faster. In practice, truck dwell times are shortened by 5 to 10 minutes, at times allowing frequent visitors to make an extra trip per day.
- OCR gates (in collaboration with Sentors): In effect at the rail terminal and the barge terminal, for the automatic recognition of containers and trucks.
- Barrier control with CargoCard: Venlo was one of the first terminals to implement this, making access fully digital.
This combination of modules has allowed the terminal to digitise and accelerate many operational processes.
Bargeterminal Hutchison Ports Venlo
Continuous improvement: automation as an ongoing process
Under the motto ‘continuous improvement’, the teams in Venlo and Rotterdam work closely together on new projects in which technology and practical applicability reinforce each other.
A key focal point is the development of stack visualisation, which uses Modality data to provide crane operators with real-time insight regarding priorities on the stack. This allows containers to be moved more efficiently and prevents unnecessary handlings.
Another focus area is the further automation of processes at the barge terminal, which was recently expanded to 5.5 hectares and can now accommodate up to four ships simultaneously. By linking more data to operational decisions, the terminal aims to further increase throughput and reduce the number of manual actions.
Furthermore, Venlo aims to increase the use of the pre-notification portal among drivers. By combining data, practical experience and user feedback, the terminal is gradually working towards a fully automated and data-driven operation.
Automation as part of trimodal growth
Hutchison Ports Venlo uses a large number of modules within the Modality system, which makes it a prime example of the manner in which our software is applied in practice for rail-bound container transport. In close collaboration with the terminal, various functionalities have been developed and further refined, allowing Venlo to demonstrate the full potential of a single, integrated system. As a software supplier, we are pleased to see the terminal’s development in recent years from a rail-only terminal to a major trimodal logistics hub for container transport to the hinterland; we are proud that our software solutions form a solid foundation for the terminal’s daily operations.
In our article on software for rail-bound container transport, you can read more about the underlying functionalities and applications within the Modality system. Of course, you can also contact our sales department with any questions you may have.
