Rotterdam World Gateway Starts Commercial Activities

 The Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) terminal handled the first commercial test vessel on the evening of January 17th, marking the start of RWG’s commercial activities.

In total, more than 150 containers were discharged. After discharge, approximately half of the containers were loaded onto a barge on Sunday, January 18th.

In the months ahead, RWG plans to continue receiving commercial test ships more regularly, allowing the terminal to further increase volume and functionality. In the second quarter of 2015, RWG should be ready to welcome the first weekly liner service.

The discharge and loading operations were done via the automated process, wherein the quay crane placed the containers on the Lift AGV.

These fully electric Lift AGVs transported the containers to RWG’s automated stacking cranes. Next, the containers were loaded onto a barge. In subsequent tests, different modes of transport will also be used for hinterland transport, RWG said.

The dockers work has been outsourced under contract to renowned businesses in the port of Rotterdam. These third parties are subject to a collective labour agreement.