RSC Rotterdam terminal reaches 5-millionth cargo unit milestone
On 12 July, RSC Rotterdam was celebrating handling the 5,000,000th cargo unit since 1993, the Port of Rotterdam Authority reports.
Up to 2008, this rail terminal grew by an average 9% per annum. The crisis caused a deep dip and the company now handles around 300,000 units a year. RSC Rotterdam employs 130 staff on a semi round-the-clock basis.
An average 45 trains a day are loaded, destined for various points in Europe, with Italy leading the field. Around 650 external drivers a day are welcomed and then helped on their way again. Thanks in part to the direct internal connection with the Rotterdam Shortsea Terminal, ECT City Terminal and SCA Logistics, units can be transported simply to and from the train. With the largest vessels shifting to the Maasvlakte, RSC is handling more and more short sea and continental (= not sea-bound) traffic.
Up to 1992, most of Rotterdam’s container terminals were served via their own rail connection. That was impractical and expensive. That is why the shuttle concept was developed, under the guidance of the first RSC director, Cor Hoenders. The shuttle operates back and forth in a fixed configuration between two Rail Service Centers. Pre and post transport of the cargo units is more flexible by road. In 1992, the Rail Service Center Rotterdam was set up for shuttle trains using the existing rail infrastructure of (what was still) ECT Home terminal. In 1994, the terminal was opened at the current location. Through the years, RSC has expanded and now has the use of 8 tracks and 4 rail gantry cranes. In addition to this, 6 reach stackers and 6 terminal tractors take care of internal logistics at the terminal.
