Logistics solutions provider CLdN is further growing its offering in oll-on / roll-off (RoRo), load-on / load-off (LoLo), and breakbulk handling, as it acquired the Distriport Terminal from Broekman. Distriport occupies a 22-hectare site on the opposite side of Brittanniëhaven from CLdN’s existing Rotterdam terminal.

The infrastructure at Distriport includes 630 metres of quayside, container handling and storage facilities, 50.000 square meters of covered warehouses, breakbulk and high and heavy cargo handling equipment and a rail head with 1.4 kilometres of track. The terminal also boasts the only all-weather terminal in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region and a humidity-controlled warehouse.

The existing terminal in Rotterdam has served CldN as an alternative for its customers who were affected by the blockade of the roads leading to the port of Zeebrugge. The strikes and the blockade placed severe strain on the supply chains throughout Europe, preventing the flow of vital food and medical supplies through Zeebrugge.

Read also: Geopolitics hurt Port of Antwerp-Bruges throughput, breakbulk slips 18.8 pct

Distriport customers include cargo liner services to and from Scandinavia, Spain, UK, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Distriport currently employs 80 people on a full-time basis.

“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. We are looking forward to welcoming our new colleagues and to working together on developing new opportunities for the wider CLdN group,” Florent Maes, CEO of CLdN, said.

The company further noted that the acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares in Broekman Distriport Real Estate BV and its 100 per cent subsidiary Broekman Distriport BV, is not subject to any regulatory or other approvals.

Broekman Logistics continues focus on breakbulk

For Broekman Logistics, this transaction means the next step in realising its strategy as presented at the end
of 2023. Broekman Logistics focuses on being an end-to-end supply chain specialist within the three market
segments Machinery, Industrial and Chemicals. This is in contrast to the Distriport multipurpose terminal, where besides RoRo trailers, also steel and containers are handled.

“While Distriport has a clear strategic fit with CLdN’s activities, it is less assigned with Broekman Logistics’
strategic focus on being an industry specialist in Machinery, Industrial and Chemicals,” according to Rik Pek,
CEO of Broekman Logistics.

“When our neighbour CLdN approached us we realised that this transaction could further boost our already
successful strategy,” says Nicolas Parey, CFO of Broekman Logistics.

Broekman Logistics continues to focus
on the breakbulk clients and industrial segment. Recently, the company added quayside crane capacity and a
technical assembly hall at the Heijplaat terminal, which houses the largest indoor heavy-lift crane in the port
of Rotterdam.

“Furthermore, we will also actively explore how our assembly and ‘postponed manufacturing’
service offering can be expanded,” adds Parey.