TOC Europe Returns to Rotterdam with Packed Programme of Conference Content and Site Visits

Innovative approaches to cope with the challenges arising from a combination of continued global economic and financial fragility, volatility in container shipping, the emerging wave of mega-vessels and the need for more efficient infrastructure to support global container trade will be the core focus of discussion at the 37th TOC Container Supply Chain Europe Conference and Exhibition, taking place 25-27 June in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Organised with the full support of host sponsor Port of Rotterdam Authority, TOC CSC Europe’s return to Rotterdam comes at a seminal moment for Europe’s largest port. Work is progressing on schedule at the giant Maasvlakte 2 development, one of the largest deep water port projects anywhere in the world. Due for completion in 2014, Maasvlakte 2 will be home to two ultra-modern container terminals – APM Terminals’ Maasvlakte II (AMPT MVII) and Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG), a joint venture between DP World, APL, MOL, HMM and CMA-CGM.

Developed to cater for the largest container vessels in the world at the highest levels of productivity, safety and sustainability, both MV II and RWG will deploy ground-breaking container handling automation technology. TOC Europe conference delegates will have a chance to see Maasvlakte 2 first hand and discuss developments with port authority and terminal operator representatives in an exclusive tour on 24 June. APM Terminals’ CEO Europe Region, Ben Vree, who oversees operations, expansion and strategic planning for APMT MV II, will also give a keynote terminal operator presentation on 25 June.

As illustrated by current initiatives at Port of Rotterdam, including its new ‘Change your Perspective’ campaign, and by many of its peers both in northwest Europe and globally, the creation of a new breed of connected port clusters and corridors, aimed at fostering greater efficiencies along container supply chains, is also high on the industry innovation agenda. At TOC CSC Europe 2013, speakers from Rotterdam and other global port pioneers, together with cargo owners and carriers, will discuss how to simplify and streamline possibly the most complex part of the entire container supply chain – the first and last miles between port and origin or destination. A series of special focus sessions on 26 June will explore port logistics platforms, hinterland networks, modal shift, integration of coastal and inland facilities and information management along the landside supply chain, looking both at mature and emerging markets.

Convened under the headline theme The Quest for Stability on Shifting Sands: Innovation, Efficiency and Connectivity, TOC Europe 2013 will provide a macro-to-micro perspective on global container supply chains and trade, bringing together all of the stakeholders to explore current challenges and solutions. The TOC CSC conference from 25-27 June will cover issues from mega-trends in world trade, economy and finance, to the state of container shipping, shipper sentiment, containerisation trends, carrier-terminal relations, the landside logistics conundrum and container weighing.

Shippers and carriers already confirmed to speak include Josselin Basile, Logistics Manager at America Chung Nam; Filip Degroote, Transportation Director EMEA for Stanley Black & Decker; Jean Oberlé, VP Transport & Warehousing, Global Supply Chain at Schneider Electric; Jesper Praestensgaard, Chief Commercial Officer, Hapag-Lloyd; Paul Miller, Director Inbound Logistics at Shop Direct; and Tom Tillemans, European Head of Logistics Network Development for HJ Heinz.

Complementing the CSC sessions, and new for 2013, is the TECH TOC conference, focusing on container terminal operations and technology. Free to attend for TOC CSC delegates, visitors and exhibitors, the conference will bring together operators, equipment and technology providers to discuss how to rise to today’s productivity, efficiency, sustainability and safety demands at container terminals worldwide.

TECH TOC sessions will include a terminal executive round table on achieving operational excellence, plus speeches and case studies on next generation terminals, big data, IT and optimisation and handling equipment design, operations and maintenance. Terminal and port industry speakers already confirmed include Curtis J. Foltz, Executive Director at Georgia Ports Authority; David Huck, Head of Port Operations at Peel Ports; Tom Ward, Chief Engineer for Ports America; Joost Achterkamp, Terminal Area Project Manager for Abu Dhabi Ports Company; and Sebastiano ?erneka, IT Manager for Adriatic Gate Container Terminal.

TOC CSC Europe and TECH TOC are both co-located with the latest addition to the TOC Worldwide portfolio – Bulk Ports & Technology, a 2-day, free-to-attend conference examining the critical issues facing the handling of bulk commodities in today’s demanding bulk supply chain.