NORDFROST: Exhibiting at Breakbulk Europe in Rotterdam – the world’s largest event for the project cargo industry

The NORDFROST Seaport Terminal in the container port of Wilhelmshaven is located directly in Germany’s only container and deep-water port, which has the best trimodal infrastructure and is currently experiencing dynamic growth thanks to increasing shipping services. Spread across a 33-hectare site, customers from all sectors benefit from every seaport logistics service, including warehouse and transport services, being located under one roof directly in the port – which also helps to keep transport costs and times down. When it comes to project logistics, the family-owned company has developed a comprehensive range of services that delivers optimum conditions for the handling of OOG and heavy lift cargo, which is specifically aimed for example at customers from the automotive, onshore/offshore wind energy, mechanical and plant engineering, oil and gas sectors, as well as specialised shipping companies.

An ultra-modern 8,000 m² heavy goods hall boasting 65,000 m² of outdoor storage space was built especially for this purpose and commenced operations in mid-2020. Further, it is equipped with its own rail line that runs through the hall and allows the handling of multi-modal transports. Rail loading operations take place directly in the hall using overhead cranes with a load capacity of up to 120 mt. As a result of the positive developments at the container port of Wilhelmshaven, the outdoor storage and container depot areas, including service facilities for washing and repairing containers as well as technical services for reefers, are soon set to expand at the NORDFROST Seaport Terminal to around 5 hectares. This project will be implemented in two construction phases.

The range of project logistics services incorporates the efficient organisation of the complete supply chain with reliable and comprehensive service offerings. For instance, at the customer’s request, individual components can be assembled or disassembled. Seaworthy packaging is produced on site and tailored to the machine and plant engineering components being loaded. Both small components and heavy cargo are packaged securely and stowed directly at the port in standard and special containers or on flat racks and bespoke platforms according to CTU packing guidelines. The consignments are then shipped without any normal road traffic weight restrictions via the container port of Wilhelmshaven or, if required, transported by rail or truck to another port of departure for export. Upon request, packaging can also take place at the customer’s facility, followed by transport to the place of destination.

NORDFROST’s project logistics services are also available at its port terminal in Wesel on the Lower Rhine, which plans to gradually expand similar offerings over time across a 16-hectare site with its own quay. NORDFROST has been operating its own pier in Wesel since April 2021, including a heavy-load platform (20 mt per m²) and a full and empty container depot for the storage of up to 1,000 TEUs. The logistics company therefore offers its customers direct water-side access to the ARA ports from the northern Ruhr region for overseas transport. As a result, freight services have been shifted to the environmentally-friendly Rhine waterway. After initially developing a 6,000 m² area along the 182 m long quay for this purpose, NORDFROST is now expanding the depot area for the storage of full and empty containers to around 17,000 m². Construction of the full-service container depot is planned to start at the end of May 2022, and the new depot is set to open before the end of the year. It will be initially kitted out with 20 reefer plug stations, although that number will rise to over 150 in the future. Service facilities for washing and repairing containers as well as technical services for reefers are also intended. In addition, covered storage areas for cargo handling, warehousing and value-added services to meet customer requirements are planned at the site. For instance, a cold store is to be constructed directly at the terminal.