YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN VIA ROTTERDAM EXPLAINED IN 9 INFOGRAPHICS

Strategic locationThe accessibility of the port of Rotterdam is optimal thanks to its favourable geographical location right on the North Sea and at the mouth of the Rhine river. The terminals can be accessed quickly and safely from the North Sea without the need for sea locks.

Attractive transhipment portDue to the many intercontinental cargo flows that converge in Rotterdam, the port is a key transhipment port for international cargo flows.

Easy access for even the largest vesselsThe 25-metre-deep waterway enables even the largest container vessels to access the port while fully loaded.

The port of Rotterdam receives the highest number of calls from Asia in northwest Europe, making it the port of choice for Asian exports headed for the European market. Furthermore, the port of Rotterdam has connections to over 1,000 ports worldwide.

Read more: www.portofrotterdam.com/en/asiaconnections/liner-services

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First and last port of call in EuropeThe port of Rotterdam is the first port of call in Europe for many international shipping companies, which yields attractive savings for the transport of cargo to Europe. Your cargo is already on its way to its final destination before the deep-sea vessel is on its way to the next port. The same is often true in the other direction: many international shipping companies choose Rotterdam as their last port of call before leaving Europe.

INTRODUCTION

Nine reasons why the port of Rotterdam forms an indispensible link in your supply chain As you may well know, the port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest container port. But the port of Rotterdam isn’t just set apart by its vast scale and favourable situation on the deep water of the North Sea coast. The largest port in Europe offers a unique combination of factors that can yield considerable advantages for your logistics process.

Did you know, for example, that more container ships coming from Asia call on the port of Rotterdam than any other port in North-West Europe? And that – on top of that – Rotterdam maintains frequent connections with over 1,000 ports worldwide? Or that every day, short sea, feeder and RoRo ships depart from Rotterdam to over 20 locations in the UK alone?

As a result, Rotterdam is not only an excellent location for exports to the European mainland. Since so many different cargo flows converge at this one point, Rotterdam is also a smart hub for international container transports to, for example, the US East Coast, Africa or the UK.

In addition, Rotterdam offers the world’s most efficient customs service, works to simplify and optimise the local logistics process with the aid of smart information exchange systems and allows you to benefit from significant tax advantages when exporting to destinations in the European Union.

In this booklet, you can find further details on why the port of Rotterdam should become a permanent link in your logistics chain.

ROTTERDAM: GATEWAY TO EUROPE AND HUB FOR GLOBAL CARGO FLOWS

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Waal- EemhavenThe short sea shipping activities in the port of Rotterdam are largely clustered in the Waal- Eemhaven area. This area is optimally connected to the intermodal network of rail, road and inland waterways, enabling easy, efficient and quick door-to-door transport to the rest of Europe.

The port of Rotterdam is the gateway to the European market of 500 million consumers. Multiple times a day shortsea, feeder and RoRo vessels leave for the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal, the Baltic countries and Russia. The Mediterranean, the Black Sea and North Africa are also easily accessible.

Transhipment hubRotterdam is the preferred first port of call in Europe for many deep-sea shipping companies. In combination with a feeder, shortsea or RoRo connection, your container may already be transhipped and is on its way before the deep-sea vessel has even left for its next European port of call.

Rotterdam Cool PortKloosterboer and Port of Rotterdam Authority are investing in the start of a new cold storage cluster in the Waal- Eemhaven: Rotterdam Cool Port. Kloosterboer is specialised in the storage and handling of refrigerated and frozen cargo in reefer containers. The accompanying services, such as empty depots and food inspection, will also be available.

China to the UKShipping via Rotterdam offers you more possibilities for transport to the UK. Rotterdam has shortsea, feeder and RoRo connections to more than twenty ports in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, allowing you to select a direct connection to a port nearby.

Read more: www.portofrotterdam.com/en/asiaconnections/liner-services

With a total of five state-of-the-art deep-sea terminals, the port of Rotterdam is optimally equipped for the efficient transhipment of containers. Well-bundled cargo flows and smart communication in the supply chain ensure excellent handling 24/7.

Read more: www.portofrotterdam.com/en/asiafacilities/container-terminals

Efficient clustersThe Maasvlakte is the ideal location for even the largest of container vessels. The terminals in the Waal- Eemhaven are located further inland and focus primarily on shortsea shipping, where containers are loaded and unloaded closer to the European market.

Advanced automationAs a frontrunner in innovative technology, the port of Rotterdam has set the standard for deep-sea terminal design worldwide. All the deep-sea terminals are fitted with the most advanced, efficient and sustainable equipment. The port of Rotterdam was the first port in the world to feature automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and the first with automated terminals. Terminal operations in Rotterdam continue 24/7.

Empty depotsIn the port of Rotterdam, 22 container depots offer more than a total of 120 hectares of storage space. These container depots have a joint storage capacity of 154,000 TEU and they conduct over 1.7 million handlings a year. Apart from storing empty containers, container depots also provide container-related services, such as sales, rental services, inspections, cleaning and repairs.

Container Exchange RouteThe Container Exchange Route (CER) connects the container terminals, rail terminals and empty depots with one another, so that containers can be efficiently bundled and exchanged between different locations.

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SHORTSEA AND FEEDER SERVICES: CONNECTING EUROPE BY SEA

2 EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE: CONTAINER TERMINALS AND DEPOTS

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Third trackThe Betuwe Route is a dedicated freight railway line that connects the port of Rotterdam directly to the German railway network. Currently, the Betuwe Route is being extended with the so-called 'third track' in Germany, which will enable rail transport to continue to grow in the future.

PortShuttleThe PortShuttle is a rail solution for exchanging containers between the various deep-sea terminals in the port of Rotterdam. The PortShuttle makes it possible to combine freights, meaning trains can be loaded more efficiently and at lower cost.

Rail transport is fast, efficient, reliable and sustainable. Many destinations in Europe can be reached by train within a day. Because of the short travel times, rail transport is ideal for transporting your cargo rapidly across longer distances.

China - Rotterdam by railIn the summer of 2015, the first train from China arrived in the port of Rotterdam. This rail connection provides an additional connection between East and West.

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Read more: www.portofrotterdam.com/en/asiaconnections/hinterland-connections

250 weekly rail servicesMore than 250 weekly intermodal rail cargo services to and from locations all over Europe start or terminate at the port of Rotterdam. Rail offers excellent opportunities for transporting containers, dry bulk, general rail cargo and chemical products.

Flexible inland shipping fleet Inland shipping is highly suitable for transporting large volumes. The flexible and modern fleet of thousands of small and large inland vessels can be put to a wide variety of uses. It can transport dry and liquid bulk, containers and project cargo.

Nextlogic optimises container shipping by bargeGrowth in container transport by barge is only possible if the operational chain is optimised. With the Nextlogic project, the port of Rotterdam is focusing on a better match between supply and demand, so that quays, cranes and vessels can be deployed optimally. In Nextlogic, the entire container shipping by barge chain works in unison, from terminal to barge operator.

Sustainable transport: Inland shipping is a reliable, safe, efficient and sustainable way of transporting cargo between the port of Rotterdam and destinations in Europe. Via transport by barge, large volumes of goods can be transported at low cost and with low CO2 emissions.

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Read more: www.portofrotterdam.com/en/asiaconnections/hinterland-connections

The port of Rotterdam is located at the mouth of two major European waterways, the Rhine and the Meuse. These rivers connect the seaport with large import and export regions in Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Austria.

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Natural connection:From the terminals in Rotterdam, inland vessels transport your cargo via the Meuse and the Rhine directly to the major economic centres in Europe. Your cargo can even reach Germany without having to pass through locks.

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RAIL TRANSPORT: CRUCIAL BUILDING BLOCK IN MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION

4 5 INLAND SHIPPING: LINK BETWEEN PORT AND HINTERLAND

Greater efficiency, lower costsThanks to the PCS, the days when companies had to develop and maintain a whole range of bilateral connections are over. All the information exchange now runs efficiently through a single hub, providing concrete savings in time and money from day one.

Tailor-made service packageServices of the Port Community System are geared towards all port sectors: containers, general cargo, dry bulk and liquid bulk. Each category has its own service package with customised services. Via the Service Selector on www.portbase.com, you can see which services are right for you at a glance.

Secure and reliablePortbase belongs to and serves the port community, and is a non-profit organisation. Information is not shared with third parties.

Easy to usePortbase puts the customer first. The Service Desk is available 24/7 by phone: +31 (0) 88 625 25 25, and by e-mail: servicedesk@portbase.com

Read more: www.portofrotterdam.com/en/asia/services

Through the Port Community System (PCS), Portbase offers over 40 different services for secure and smart coordination and information exchange. This results in increased efficiency, lower planning costs, better and more transparent planning, faster handling and fewer errors.

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Read more: www.portofrotterdam.com/en/asia/business-opportunities

Scanning time of an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) on the Maasvlakte: 10 minutes.

Contact Dutch Customs by phone: + 31 45 574 30 31

50% cost savingsMultiple inspections can take place at the same location. In addition to the central scanning facility on the Maasvlakte, scanners are also used at the terminals. As a result, containers do not need to be transported for inspection.

High-tech scanning equipmentDid you know the port of Rotterdam is home to the fastest train scanner in the world?

24/7Dutch Customs operates 24/7. When required, inspections are primarily conducted through scans in order to ensure minimal impact on the logistics process.

Rotterdam is an ideal starting point for importing into and exporting from Europe. Dutch Customs is responsible for releasing goods that enter or leave Europe via Rotterdam and is known to be one of the most efficient customs departments in the world.

6 PORTBASE COMMUNITY SYSTEM: MAKES IMPORTING AND EXPORTING EASIER THAN EVER

7 DUTCH CUSTOMS: MOST EFFICIENT

50% cost savingsMultiple inspections can take place at the same location. In addition to the central scanning facility on the Maasvlakte, scanners are also used at the terminals. As a result, containers do not need to be transported for inspection.

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Tax representationThis arrangement only applies to companies that do not have an office in the Netherlands. For instance, a Chinese company that exports goods to Germany via Rotterdam is allowed to defer VAT payment from the time of export to when it submits its tax returns, simply through the use of tax representation in the Netherlands. Numerous logistics service providers in the port of Rotterdam supply this service.

Fast & simpleThe costs you incur from tax returns are also a thing of the past. Administration is kept simple: Customs clears your shipment swiftly, after which it can be transported to any destination in the EU. All you need is the acknowledge-ment of delivery and you’re good to go.

Considerable savingsConsiderable savings can be achieved, particularly in the automotive and electronics sectors. With a VAT rate of 19% in Germany, for instance, the sums involved in export are very substantial. When shipping via Rotterdam, there is no need to finance these charges.

Read more: www.portofrotterdam.com/en/asia/business-opportunities

A company that exports products from outside the European Union to a EU country has to pay import duties and VAT. The firm can subsequently apply for a refund of this VAT, but it often takes one or two months before the money is recovered. In the Netherlands, VAT does not have to be paid upon arrival in the EU thanks to a unique VAT deferral policy. This results in a cash flow advantage that can run into millions.

Natural point of departure and destination pointThe port of Rotterdam is an important crossroads for cargo transported by land and sea. This makes Rotterdam a logical point of departure and destination for the new Silk Road, especially since Rotterdam is an important hub and gateway for the United Kingdom, the east coast of the United States, the African continent and elsewhere.

Connected by railThe port of Rotterdam has great Eurasian rail connections with multiple destinations in China via the Duisburg rail hub. Transit times are significantly shorter compared to ocean freight and it is more affordable than air transport.

Excellent choice for European distributionRotterdam has excellent connections with the heart of Europe by rail, barge and road. With approximately 110 million inhabitants this area is one of the highest concentrati-ons of people, capital and industry in the world, making Rotterdam an excellent choice for European distribution.

Good trade relations between the Netherlands and Asia have existed since the beginning of the 17th century. Nowadays, almost one quarter of the freight unloaded from vessels in the port of Rotterdam originates from China and nearly half of all containers transhipped in Rotterdam comes from the Asian continent.

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Read more: www.portofrotterdam.com/en/asia/connections

9 ONE BELT ONE ROAD: EAST AND WEST BETTER CONNECTED THAN EVER

8 ATTRACTIVE CASH FLOW ADVANTAGE:THROUGH TAX REPRESENTATION

In the logistics sector, decisions are often made on the basis of hard facts and tried-and-tested approaches. After all, nobody likes to see the smooth settlement of their transports come under pressure. Any delay, any error along the way, can have serious financial consequences. But when it comes to selecting import and export channels, there are still quite a few opportunities for optimisation. The quality of your logistics process is determined by a variety of factors.Choosing the port of Rotterdam can yield numerous advantages for your supply chain and expand your range of logistics options.

Would you like to know more? Feel free to visit our website www.portofrotterdam.com, or get in touch with the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s Asia Desk via asiadesk@portofrotterdam.com.

CONCLUSION