Freight broker multimodal transport in the Netherlands

Our assignment was to convince industrial companies to shift from road cargo to transport by inland navigation using existing waterways. Royal HaskoningDHV was appointed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment to promote and implement fundamental modal shifts in the Amsterdam region. Between 2016 and 2018 approximately 18,000 truckloads per year have shifted from road haulage to inland navigation. 
freight-broker-multimodal-transport-in-the-netherlands

Project facts

  • Client
    Ministry of Infrastructure
  • Location
    The Netherlands
  • Challenge
    To reduce traffic congestion at rush hour by 10 per cent. 
  • Solution
    The implemented projects led to an average yearly reduction of 18,000 truck journeys in the MRA area. Accessibility, traffic flow and quality of life in and around the city have all benefited from the measures. 
  • Period
    2016 - 2018

The challenge

Around the city of Amsterdam, in the area known as the Metropolitan Amsterdam Area (MRA), traffic is jammed at rush hours. The Dutch government, industry community and regional and local government agencies wanted to reduce the congestion problems in the area, resulting in the project “Better Use of Infrastructure”. The objective was to reduce traffic congestion at rush hour by 10 per cent.

The solution

Commissioned by Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (RWS) of West-Nederland North and the “Better Use Follow up MRA Program”, Royal HaskoningDHV Senior Manager Hans Vermij was appointed the modality broker Logistics: Transport over water in the MRA from 2016 to May 2018.
The modality broker matched transport demand with supply in multimodal transport in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region (MRA).

Hans was responsible for the following four projects:

  • Transport of waste over water to AEB (Afvalenergiebedrijf Amsterdam). Waste from municipal collection yards (North, East and Southeast) was mainly transported by road to an incinerator. The project aimed to increasing the use of inland shipping using existing wwaterways. The Port of Amsterdam and AEB indicated that they would develop a quay near AEB in the Asia port, reducing road freight by 28,000 per year.

  • Transport of waste containers between Zaandam and Alkmaar (HVC). In summer 2016 and the last months of 2017 pilots were carried out with a Pallet Shuttle Barge (Zulu 2) in which more than 650 containers were transported over water. The results are encouraging and could reduce freight transports by 9,200 per year.

  • Supplying large-scale RWS construction projects in the MRA by water. Construction material flows were analyzed and led to a proposal for the use of water transport by means of adjusted award criteria in the call for tenders. The following projects: New Sealock IJmuiden, Upgrading and expansion of the roads in SAA (A1- A6-A9-A10), Zuidasdok and the Corridor Amsterdam - Purmerend – Hoorn implemented the use of water transport which eliminated a total of 57,000 truck journeys.

  • Truck Parking and Terminals Transfer Points (TTTP) in Greater Amsterdam. This involves the development of truck parking and truck terminal points offering drivers an overnight location, the opportunity to bundle consignments and coordinate the last mile to the city centre via electric transport. This has led to the creation of a truck-stop framework in the MRA and a LOP close to Schiphol.

The result

By tackling the busiest routes such as the Ring A10 Expressway, the gains have been significant for all parties. The implemented projects led to an average yearly reduction of 18,000 truck journeys in the MRA area. Accessibility, traffic flow and quality of life in and around the city have all benefited from the measures. By applying smart logistics, companies optimize inbound and outbound freight movements, resulting in fewer truck journeys. Reductions will reach approximately 35,000 truck movements once the municipality of Amsterdam, AEB and HVC permanently implement inland waterway transport in waste operations.

Hans Vermij - Leading Professional Inland Waterway Transport

HansVermij

Leading Professional Inland Waterway Transport