60 years of milestones

2023

Hutchison Ports Duisburg celebrates its 40th anniversary

Back in 1983, Hutchison Ports Duisburg, originally known as DeCeTe Duisburg, opened its gates for shipping lines, logistics service providers, shippers and operators. Over the past four decades, it has transformed into a fully-fledged trimodal inland terminal, providing an extensive range of services. Hutchison Ports Duisburg is connected via rail and water with seaports in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium and many locations within the region and far beyond.

Hutchison Ports Europe Intermodal and RTB CARGO: 10 years of successful collaboration

Hutchison Ports Europe Intermodal and RTB CARGO today celebrate the fact that they have been working together successfully for more than 10 years. The cooperation between the intermodal network operator and the traction supplier started in 2013 with the train connections between Rotterdam and Venlo. RTB CARGO now also supplies traction on other Hutchison Ports Europe Intermodal connections.

10,000th fixed window for inland shipping at ECT

This summer, Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT) received the 10,000th barge that was handled within the so-called 'Fixed Windows' concept. This success underlines the considerable value of this barge product for a reliable and efficient inland shipping chain.

EGS BECOMES HUTCHISON PORTS EUROPE INTERMODAL

Today, 10 May 2023, European Gateway Services (EGS), the intermodal network operator of Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT), continues under a new name. The new name is: Hutchison Ports Europe Intermodal.

The new name immediately makes it clear which activities are being carried out. It also emphasizes that Hutchison Ports Europe Intermodal forms part of an integrated range of port-to-door services from Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT).

2022

Largest container ship Ever Alot arrived in Rotterdam

During her maiden call, the Ever Alot arrived in the Amazonehaven at the ECT Delta terminal. The ship has a capacity of 24,004 TEU, which is slightly more than the previous record ship, the Ever Ace, can transport (23,992 TEU). This makes the vessel (currently) the largest container ship in the world.

40th anniversary Hutchison Ports Venlo

In 1982 we started our activities in Venlo together with @Seacon Logistics. In 1992 the rail terminal at Celsiusweg was opened and in 2010 we expanded our services with the opening of our inland shipping terminal at Ankerkade. This makes Venlo our most important inland hub for 40 years.

 

More than 1 million TEU

Last year we handled more than 1 million TEU for Evergreen marine; a new record. Evergreen has been a customer of ECT since 1979.

2021

Record in the Amazonehaven

On Tuesday evening 30 November at 10.30 pm the Ever Ace called at the ECT Delta terminal in the Amazonehaven for the second time. The largest container ship in the world had a draft of 16.5 meters. According to the Port Authority database, this is a new record for this port basin.
In order to remain well accessible for the latest generation of container ships in the future, ECT, in collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam Authority, had the Amazonehaven deepened from 16.65 meters to 17.45 meters over (in the first phase) a length of half a kilometre.

Ever Ace at ECT

Last Saturday, September 4, around 3:00 PM, the Ever Ace arrived at the Delta terminal. With a length of 400 meters, a beam of 61 meters and a capacity of 23,992 TEU, the Ever Ace is currently the largest container ship in the world. Incidentally, the Ever Ace will again call at ECT on its way back to Asia, but then the Euromax terminal. It's great that we at ECT receive these ships, with all the extra attention that this entails.

Ever Given arrived at the ECT Delta terminal

The Ever Given, the ship that ran aground in the Suez Canal, is unloaded at the ECT Delta terminal. Evergreen Marine Corporation and Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT) have worked closely together to develop a plan for the handling of the Ever Given in Rotterdam. ECT unloads all containers both with destination Rotterdam and with destination Hamburg. Containers for Hamburg, after being unloaded, are loaded directly onto the Ever Utile to continue their journey to Hamburg.

Hutchison Ports takeover of APMT-R

Hutchison Ports and APM Terminals have agreed on the acquisition of APMT-R by Hutchison Ports; the parent company of ECT.
In the long term, the takeover offers great opportunities for the further development of the Delta peninsula into the largest container hub in Europe. This also further strengthens the position of the port of Rotterdam. The new name of APMT-R will be Hutchison Ports Delta II.

EGS now also to and from Regensburg; Southern Germany increasingly better accessible.

European Gateway Services (EGS) is further expanding its network in southern Germany. With the new connection between Rotterdam and Regensburg in Bavaria, a fourth destination has been added to the EGS network in southern Germany. Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart (Kornwestheim) were already part of the EGS network.

'Smart bollard' at the ECT Delta terminal

As part of a trial by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, a 'smart bollard' has been installed on the quay of the ECT Delta terminal. This bollard measures the strength of the ropes. As a result, safety is monitored in real time and it is also possible to determine which ships can berth at which quay.
This trial is part of the policy to make the port of Rotterdam safer and more efficient through digitization.

2020

First ship in deepened Amazonehaven

Last Saturday, November 7, 2020, the NYK Wren, a container vessel with a draft of 16.1 meters, moored in the deepened Amazonehaven, alongside the quay of the ECT Delta terminal.

The dredging works, carried out by Van Oord on behalf of the Port of Rotterdam Authority and ECT, was completed two weeks earlier than originally planned.

10 years of European Gateway Services

European Gateway Services is celebraiting its 10 year anniversary! In 2010 Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam founded European Gateway Services as a transport product to better serve our clients. Now, EGS offers a wide variety of intermodal and synchromodal transport connections between all deepsea terminals in the port of Rotterdam and Antwerp and the leading economic centres of Western and Central Europe. 

 

Largest container ships in the world visit the ECT Delta terminal

Four of the newest 24.000 TEU class container ships, the biggest in the world, from shipping company HMM will call at the ECT Delta terminal during their maiden voyage in the coming period.

Barge Transferium Maasvlakte launched

Barge Transferium Maasvlakte (BTM) has been launched at the ECT Delta terminal since early June. The BTM is a collaboration between Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT) and a consortium of inland terminals and barge operators. The BTM contributes to an efficient and reliable handling of barges in the port of Rotterdam.

2019

Intercity Barge; more than 100.000 containers transported

Since last year is the Intercity Barge a proven success and shows that reliable barge services within the Port of Rotterdam area and the vicinity of the port can help to strengthen the supply chain.

This barge service connects the terminals of Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam at the Maasvlakte with the terminals and depots in the Waal-/Eemhaven area, Botlek area, Merwedehaven, Ridderkerk and Alblasserdam.

Maidencall Ever Glory at ECT

Entirely 'green', Evergreen Line's Ever Glory was moored today on its maiden trip at the ECT Delta terminal of Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT). The Ever Glory is Evergreen’s first 20,000 TEU vessel that is also equipped with scrubbers. The arrival of the Ever Glory also marks the 40-year relationship between Evergreen Line and ECT. That relationship began 40 years ago with the arrival of the Ever Vital; many ships would follow.

New railconnection with Munich

Together with partners, European Gateway Services (EGS), part of Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam, is launching a new rail connection between Rotterdam and Munich. The new rail service replaces the existing connection with Munich and strengthens the rail product between Munich and Rotterdam.

New website EGS live

The new website of European Gateway Services (EGS) is live. The website can be reached via www.europeangatewayservices.com.

Limburg Express launched; new inland shipping connection between Rotterdam and Limburg

European Gateway Services (EGS), Barge Terminal Born and Danser Group have been joining forces and are offering a reliable transport corridor between Rotterdam and Limburg by means of the Limburg Express. In Rotterdam, the Limburg Express calls at the Hutchison Ports ECT Delta terminal and in Limburg at the inland barge terminals in Venlo and Born.
 

EGS offers synchromodal transport to and from Southern Germany

European Gateway Services (EGS) connects Rotterdam with the south of Germany by means of both rail and inland shipping. Through the deployment of various modalities, EGS is able to optimally respond to the wishes of customers and to current conditions. ECT consequently offers its customers a flexible network rather than just a connection.

ECT welcomes the EVER Gifted

Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT) welcomes the EVER Gifted from container shipping line Evergreen on her maiden call. The vessel, with a capacity of around 20,000 TEU, makes its first roundtrip from Asia. Rotterdam is the first European port of call. The EVER Gifted is handled at the ECT Euromax terminal, with an 8-crane operation.
On this trip, the vessel will bring 6,000 import containers to Rotterdam via ECT. On the way back, after a visit to Hamburg and Felixstowe, the EVER Gifted will call at the ECT Delta to load 6,000 export containers.

2018

ECT launches app

As of now, the ECT app is available in the app stores. The app currently offers service messages, news items and an FAQ. With the app, all users – also those on the move – can keep up-to-date with the latest developments at our terminals.

ECT expands fixed windows pilot for inland shipping

Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT) is expanding the pilot with fixed windows for inland vessels with large call sizes. The pilot, which commenced in January of this year, has proven successful and ECT is now ready to embark on a next phase. In this next phase, the number of participants in the pilot will be expanded and further testing will take place on tighter and new rules

EGS wins German Dutch Logistics Award

European Gateway Services (EGS) has won the first German Dutch Logistics Award for its vision on synchromodal transport and the way in which it is put into practice.

ECT recruits 100 operational employees

Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT) is building the future and will recruit 100 operational employees. For the first time since 2008, current and expected volumes justify the hiring of operational employees again.

2017

Maiden Call OOCL Hong Kong

Maiden Call at the ECT Euromax Terminal. With a capacity of 21.413 TEU, the OOCL Hong Kong is the largest container ship in the world.

8- cranes operation at de ECT Euromax terminal

At the ECT Euromax terminal, an 8-cranes operation has been applied to the Al Zubara (UASC). Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam increasingly puts 7 or 8 cranes on the ECT terminals to handle the largest ships of her customers.

2017

2016

Rebranding 2016

Our parent company Hutchison Ports Holdings changed its name to Hutchison Ports and introduced a new corporate identity in 2016. The new corporate identity expresses the goal of expanding more as a unit worldwide. The new corporate identity will be implemented at all terminals and ports of Hutchison Ports. The same applies to ECT and its maritime- and hinterland terminals. ECT is now called Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam

Strategic cooperation

Cosco Ports (Rotterdam) has taken a 35% stake in the Hutchison Ports ECT Euromax terminal. This strategy partnership provides benefits for both parties.

50th anniversary ECT

ECT celebrates its 50th anniversary! The container changed the world, ECT changed the world of the container. And with a view to the future ECT will continue to do so. 50 years ECT. Connecting the Future.

 

2015

Closure City Terminal

The CMA CGM Sambhar is the last deepsea ship to call at the ECT City Terminal in the Eemhaven. Capitalising on the ever-expanding increase in scale, ECT definitely relocates the remaining operations still taking place in the city to its two deepsea terminals at the Maasvlakte. After nearly 50 years, the ECT City Terminal - better known as the Home Terminal - closes its gates.

Departure last ship

Salute to the last ship

 

Opening EGS office in Munich

European Gateway Services (EGS) opens an office in Munich. This allows EGS to anticipate the wishes of the customer better and faster, among other reasons because knowledge of the local market is combined with knowledge of the processes in Rotterdam.

 

 

2014

ECT Versus PoR

ECT and the Port of Rotterdam Authority end their long-running dispute over the expansion of capacity in the port of Rotterdam.

150.000.000 TEU

ECT handles the 150 millionth TEU since its inception. This makes ECT the first container terminal operator in Europe to achieve this unique milestone.
“The milestone of 150 million TEU symbolises the power of teamwork: of our staff, who organise the unloading and loading 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and of our customers, who have already been putting their confidence in ECT for almost 50 years now.”

Banner 150,000,000 TEU

Amazonehaven widened

The Amazonehaven port basin is widened. This allows ECT to better handle ULCS. ECT also has its own extensive ULCS programme aimed at better serving the larger and larger seagoing vessels and offering customers optimum service levels.

Marco Polo - Amazonehaven

The Amazonehaven

Arrival of giant cranes

After a two-month voyage, five new quay cranes arrive at the ECT Delta Terminal. The cranes are part of a larger investment programme of ECT; the ULCS upgrade programme, which enables ECT to offer its customers a state-of-the-art terminal that is ready for the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrival Giant Cranes

2013

1,000,000th truck move at the Euromax Terminal

The Euromax Terminal handles its one millionth container and from then on unloads containers remotely from the office using monitors.

Introduction ShoreTension

ECT participates in a holding company for the global exploitation of ShoreTension: an invention of Rotterdam’s boatmen for the safe mooring of vessels.

ShoreTension - How it works

 

 

 

2012

Introduction hybrid AGV

The hybrid AGV is introduced. This is an important next step in sustainable terminal automation.

Hybride AGV

The hybrid AGV

2011

AEO Status

The ECT Delta Terminal and the Euromax Terminal Rotterdam are officially recognised as Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) by Customs. This means the two ECT terminals can count on major customs simplifications, allowing them to even better fulfil their role in global logistics chains.

100,000 containers in 1 week

ECT starts the year with a throughput record: at the three deepsea terminals (ECT City Terminal, ECT Delta Terminal and Euromax Terminal Rotterdam), more than 100,000 containers are handled in a single week. That is a line of containers stretching from the Maasvlakte all the way to Berlin.

Cover special Fast Forward

 

2010

Lean & Green Award

ECT wins the first Lean & Green Award, an initiative aimed to promote sustainability in the logistics sector. Later, ECT will also win the Lean and Green Star and the Personal Mobility Award (for its company-organised transport).
 

Lean & Green logo

logo Lean & Green

Establishment European Gateway Services (EGS)

Through the launch of subsidiary company European Gateway Services (EGS), ECT introduces a new service for its customers. EGS specialises in synchromodal transport - rail, barge and truck - to the European hinterland.

Synchromodality

Opening barge terminal Venlo

Today, Minister Camiel Eurlings (V&W) officially inaugurated the new barge terminal of Trimodal Container Terminal Venlo (TCT Venlo). This means that in addition to road and rail, Venlo now also has full access for goods transport by water. With a quay length of 155 metres, the new terminal can receive barges up to 135 metres.

2008

Introduction electronic data exchange

To ensure optimal service rendering, ECT makes 100% electronic data exchange mandatory at all of its deepsea terminals.

Festive opening Euromax and DBF

The Euromax Terminal and Delta Barge Feeder Terminal are spectacularly opened. For the Euromax, the CKYH alliance (Cosco, "K" Line, Yan Ming and Hanjin) is the partner of ECT. The Barge Feeder Terminal further increases ECT’s significance as a European feeder hub.

2004

ISPS Code

ECT meets the global ISPS Code for an improved security of terminals and ships against terrorism.

 

2002

ECT becomes part of HPH

Hutchison Port Holdings acquires a majority of ECT shares. ECT with that becomes an integral part of this Hong Kong-based global company. From now on, the letters ECT stand for Europe Container Terminals.

HPH Worldmap

HPH Worldmap

ECT corporate mark

Logo ECT

2000

Commissioning Rail Service Centre

Accross from the ECT Delta Terminal, ECT takes the Rail Service Centre Maasvlakte in use.

Opening RSC

Fireworks during the official opening

 

 

1999

New owners

ECT gets new owners: Hutchison Port Holdings, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, ABN AMRO and Stichting Werknemersaandelen ECT.

Commissioning DDW

At the Delta Terminal, the first 450 metres of the new Delta Dedicated West (DDW) are taken into use. To make efficient use of the space, ECT starts stacking four-high here. Top chess players Kasparov and Timman play a chess game at the Delta Terminal using containers which have been tranformed into chess pieces.
Schaakspel
The chess game

Inlandterminals in Duisburg and Willebroek

ECT opens its own inland terminals in Duisburg (Germany) and Willebroek (Belgium).

DeCeTe right up to your frontdoor

1997

Introduction Cargo Card

The Cargo Card - a biometric identification card for truck drivers - is introduced. This card stands for safety as well as for time saving. Truck drivers do not need to more from their cabin, but identify with their left hand.

Identification from the cabin with the CargoCard

 

 

1996

Opening Delta Dedicated East

Delta Dedicated East (DDE) is launched. Crown Prince Willem-Alexander is the guest of honour at the opening ceremony. The first customer is the Global Alliance – the shipping lines Nedlloyd, APL, MOL MISC and OOCL.

1993

Commissioning Delta/Sea-Land Terminal

The automated Delta / Sea-Land terminal is commissioned. The official opening is performed by Queen Beatrix. This is the first automated terminal in the world.

20 years of automation (2013)

 

1989

Merger ECT, Quick Dispatch and Müller Thomsen

ECT merges with Quick Dispatch and Müller Thomsen. This gives the acronym ECT a new meaning: Europe Container Terminus changes to Europe Combined Terminals.

The twistlock has been the symbol of ECT for years. After the merge ECT uses the bollard as the new symbol.

1988

25-year contract ECT and Sea-Land

ECT and Sea-Land sign a new 25-year contract. The shipping line is given an exclusive terminal at the Maasvlakte which features an unprecedented automated concept with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Automated Stacking Cranes (ASCs).

Artist impression of concept AGV

 

1985

Opening ECT Delta Terminal

Mayor Peper of Rotterdam officially opens the Delta Terminal. It is the start of a new era for ECT.

1983

Record: 1,000,000 containers

For the first time ever, ECT handles more than 1 million containers in one year. This is still done entirely at the Eemhaven, already known as the Home Terminal for some time.

The 1.000.000th container of 1983

 

1982

Venlo as inland terminal

In Venlo, ECT takes a rail terminal into use as a consolidation and distribution point for container cargo to and from Germany and the rest of the Eruopean hinterland. Adding Venlo to the network was part of the strategy of ECT to maintain the competitive position of Rotterdam. This inland terminal is still owned by ECT and is part of the network of EGS.

Venlo Terminal

Venlo Terminal in 1982

 

Melons by barge - Inland terminal Venlo

Start construction Delta Terminal

On the 28th of April, the festive starting signal is given for the construction of the Delta Terminal at the Maasvlakte. ECT had already been approached numerous times by the municipality of Rotterdam in the past with the proposal to relocate the company from the Eemhaven to the Maasvlakte to solve the structural space problem there.

Constructing the Delta Terminal 

Official start of construction

 

1980

Introduction of five-shift system

ECT is the first company where this system is introduced. After completing a day shift, workers would return home five days a week, two more than in the four-shift system. Workers also no longer worked seven shifts back to back, but five. All this was aimed at promoting the social wellbeing of the employees.

1974

Record: 500,000 containers in one year

For the first time ever, ECT handles 500,000 containers in a single year. A true record at this time! De container was owned by shipping line Delta-Sealand.

500.000ste container

Container 500,000

 

1971

Own Collective Labour Agreement for ECT

As of the 1st of January, ECT gets its own collective labour agreement for the first time. This makes it possible to truly operate around the clock - seven days a week, 24 hours a day. That takes place in a three-shift operation.

1970

Own terminal for shipping line Sea-Land

Within the ECT complex at the Eemhaven, shipping line Sea-Land gets its own terminal at the Prins Willem-Alexanderhaven. The facility is officially opened by Princess Margriet on the 27th of April.

Rederij SeaLand krijgt eigen terminal

Princess Margriet performed the opening

 

1967

ECT gets own terminal at Prinses Margriethaven

In the course of 1967, ECT gets its own terminal at the Prinses Margriethaven. On the 31st of August, the Atlantic Span of shipping line ACL is the first ship to moor here. At the time ECT has one crane.
 
ECT krijgt eigen terminal aan Prinses Margriethaven

De Atlantic Span of shipping line ACL

1966

MS Fairland in the port of Rotterdam

The MS Fairland of shipping line Sea-Land visits the port of Rotterdam; this is generally considered the start of container liner shipping. The ship moors at Quick Dispatch in the Eemhaven port area. It sparks a revolution in Rotterdam’s cargo handling sector and spurs Dutch railway operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Quick Dispatch, Thomsen's Havenbedrijven, Cornelis Swarttouw, Müller-Progress and Pakhuismeesteren to seriously focus on this new activity through the company specifically established for this purpose: Europe Container Terminus (ECT)

MS Fairland

MS Fairland in the Eemhaven