Ferry operator Stena Line and the Port of Rotterdam have agreed a collaboration to build a second berth at Stena’s Europoort terminal, as part of a 27million euro (£19.3m) investment.

Freight volumes between Rotterdam and the UK have grown strongly in recent years and this trend is predicted to continue.

The new berth will serve Stena Line’s RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) routes from both Harwich and Killingholme, on the River Humber in Lincolshire.

Annika Hult, route manager at Stena Line North Sea, said: “We believe in the future of Europoort as a strong freight hub on the North Sea and are committed to the development of the terminal as part of a long term investment plan.

“The second berth allows us to fully facilitate business development long-term and to meet future customer demand.”

The work to develop the new berth, which will be 212metres long with a draft of 6.30m, will start shortly and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017.

The current berth will then be renewed, with both berths planned to be operational by January 1, 2018 offering Stena Line greater flexibility to serve the growing freight market.

Joyce Bliek, director for containers at the Port of Rotterdam, added: “This is a big investment and demonstrates the confidence in the RoRo market’s long-term development.”

Source: EADT