As of 20. March 2017 trucks that come to the Deurganckdok in the port of Antwerp will also be able to call at night.
The container terminals MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) and DP World Antwerp Gateway, both located in the Deurganck dock, are due to extend their opening hours so[ds_preview] that fetching or delivering containers by truck can carry on around the clock on weekdays. With this measure the operators seek to spread the flow of trucks on their terminals more efficiently.
Thanks to the extended working hours, quays 1700 (Antwerp Gateway) and 1742 (MPET) – the largest container terminals in the port of Antwerp – will be open non-stop from 0500 hours (Antwerp Gateway) and 0530 (MPET) on Monday morning to 0530 on Saturday morning. Currently the Antwerp Gateway is open from 0500 to 2130 and MPET from 0530 to 2130.
Longer opening times should increase the terminal capacity
By operating around the clock in this way the terminals seek to increase their capacity and spread out their handling volumes. DP World Antwerp handles some 1700 trucks per day and MPET around 2600. Analysis has shown that the handling time at both terminals tends to get longer from 1100 onwards, with a peak at 1700. After 1900 the number of trucks drops considerably, and so calling later in the day yields significant time savings. Permitting deliveries and collections at night also will further extend this quiet period.
According to the Port of Antwerp by extending their opening hours the container terminals hope to offer better service for their customers. The truck companies themselves have asked for the opening hours to be extended, and shippers also are in favour of the initiative.
