Sif Group, Verbrugge International and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have signed an agreement in principle for the construction of a production and storage/handling terminal in Rotterdam. Sif Group and Verbrugge are planning to set up a joint venture to bring the storage and logistics of the foundations, so-called monopiles, under one roof, Port of Rotterdam Authority said in its press release.
At the terminal, which covers around 42 hectares, Sif Group will produce steel foundations for offshore wind farms and the oil and gas industry. It is the market leader in the production of monopiles for the offshore wind market in the North Sea. Verbrugge will take care of the logistics at the terminal, as well as the handling of sea-going vessels. Verbrugge is one of the largest terminals/ logistics companies in Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Zeebrugge and, by taking this step towards Rotterdam, is further expanding its portfolio.
“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,” according to 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,” says Jan Bruggenthijs, Sif Group CEO.
Martin Verbrugge, CEO of Verbrugge International: "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.”
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.
The Sif Group/Verbrugge plant and terminal will occupy about half of the 80 hectare or so plot on Maasvlakte 2 to the north of the FutureLand information centre. A biobased cluster is also planned for this site.