Following today’s news that Sif Group is expanding its business to Rotterdam, the Port of Rotterdam Authority released more details about the planned facilities in Rotterdam, which reveal that Sif Group and Verbrugge are planning to set up a joint venture to bring the storage and logistics of foundations under one roof.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority, Sif Group, and Verbrugge International have signed an agreement in principle for the construction of a production and storage/handling terminal in Rotterdam.
At the terminal, which covers around 42 hectares, Sif Group will produce steel foundations for offshore wind farms and the oil and gas industry. Verbrugge will take care of the logistics at the terminal, as well as the handling of sea-going vessels.
“By combining production as well as handling and storage services for heavy cargo, Rotterdam will gain a strong position in offshore wind energy with top players in their respective markets,” said Allard Castelein, CEO at the Port of Rotterdam Authority .
“This location on Maasvlakte 2 fits in perfectly with our profile for further expansion of Sif Group at a deepsea port. The strategically good location means that we can provide our clients with optimum service and further strengthen our leading position in foundations for offshore wind and Oil&Gas in the North Sea,” said Jan Bruggenthijs, Sif Group CEO .
Martin Verbrugge, CEO of Verbrugge International , said: “We have built up an excellent track record in offshore wind projects in recent years. We are ready to take the next step: to professionalize and optimize our service. In Sif Group, as market leader in the field of foundations, we have found a fantastic partner to further extend our ambitions in the market. The fact that this is now possible at one of the most wonderful locations in a world-class port only makes us more ambitious.”
The new terminal is expected to go into operation in mid-2016. The Port Authority said that Sif Group and Verbrugge will put Rotterdam’s offshore cluster more firmly on the map as a location and supplier for the offshore wind industry. The operations will strengthen the existing offshore cluster by generating extra activities, such as the supply of components, assembly and handling.
For loading the components and steel foundations, crane capacity will be installed onshore for high tonnages.
In addition to this, the new plant and the new terminal will create around 200 jobs. The Port Authority will build a 400-metre deepsea quay for Sif Group and Verbrugge, with a depth of -16.50m NAP, with the possibility to deepen it further to approx. -19m NAP.
Image: Artist’s impression of Sif-Verbrugge Terminal MV2