Shorter port calls, lower exchange costs, improved hinterland connections The Port of Rotterdam Authority has started constructing the infrastructure for the Container Exchange Route (CER). The CER will link the deepsea container terminals, empty depots, rail terminals and distribution companies at Maasvlakte. The goal of this project is to reduce exchange costs between the various companies and further improve connections with the
European hinterland.
Ronald Paul, Chief Operating Officer at the Port Authority: ‘The CER offers the opportunity to combine container streams, which means that trains, inland vessels and feeder vessels no longer need to go to the different terminals. With the CER, the Port Authority is introducing a completely new, advanced and unique system. The CER will improve links between container terminals at Maasvlakte and reduce congestion, which will result in cost reductions and further improvements to the Port of Rotterdam’s competitive position as container hub.’
The construction of the concrete road is part of the Container Exchange Route project. This project comprises both the construction of the infrastructure and the purchase of terminal systems, the construction and modification of IT systems and logistic agreements on how the
transport of containers will be handled via the CER. This overall project involves an investment amount of € 175 million.

The Task
The Port Authority has contracted consortium KWS Infra B.V. & Van Hattum en Blankevoort B.V. to construct a robust concrete road outside the industrial parks of the container companies at Maasvlakte. This road comprises:
• Approx 11.5 km concrete road (new up to the terminal sites);
• 3 road junctions;
• 1 level crossing and
• 3 rail viaducts.

Schedule
The consortium will start constructing the road in 2018. The CER is scheduled to be fully completed and operational by the end of 2020.

Port of Rotterdam Authority