OMS Sets up Operating Base at Steubenhoft Terminal

Cuxport is expanding its logistics services in the offshore sector by the addition of a service port component: The port operator and Offshore Marine Services (OMS) signed an agreement covering the use of the Steubenhöft Terminal as the operating base for maintaining and servicing the wind farms in the North Sea on 1 August 2011.

The structural services already provided at Cuxhaven by the public and private sectors, which are tailored to the needs of the wind energy sector, were an important issue influencing OMS’s decision to base its business there.

“The German state of Lower Saxony believes that OMS’s decision to set up a business base confirms that its efforts to strength the infrastructure at ports in Lower Saxony to meet the needs of the offshore market are correct,” says Jörg Bode, Lower Saxony’s Minister for Economics, Labor and Transport, commenting on the successful signing of the agreement between Cuxport and OMS.

OMS, an independent provider of maritime solutions for the offshore wind industry, will use 12,000 square meters of the Steubenhöft Terminal in the future for its servicing and maintenance business for the wind farms in the German Bight. While drawing up the contract, Cuxport and OMS also reached agreement on handling freight forwarding and transshipment services, which may, for instance, involve handling material and lubricant containers or spare parts for various projects at sea.

“Cuxhaven has been able to capture a powerful market position as a production and installation port in the past and, because of its geographical vicinity to the wind farms, the site and Cuxport are ideally suited as  multipurpose terminals for maintenance and servicing work,” says Dr. Andreas Schmidt, a member of the management team at Rhenus Port Logistics, commenting on OMS’s decision to set up in business there. “We will be able to provide all the necessary logistics and agency services for OMS with the expertise that is available at Cuxport and as part of the broadly based Rhenus Group.

Offshore Marine Management and its German subsidiary OMS are relying on continuity for the fulfillment of its logistics needs by working with Cuxport. An agreement signed with the Rhenus Group with regard to the business location in Nordenham in the spring of 2011 envisages the development of a sea cable logistics center there. The final planning work is currently taking place for this project. “We want to offer our customers in the wind energy sector extensive services for the German market. In working with Rhenus, we have found a partner for the logistics field to support us with its expertise in meeting this goal in a competent way in every aspect,” says Rob Grimmond, Managing Director of Offshore Marine Management.

Cuxport GmbH operates a multi-functional transshipment terminal at the deep water port of Cuxhaven. In addition to offering comprehensive RoRo handling services, Cuxport provides an ideal geographical location for all sea traffic and the best possible connections to the hinterland. Cuxport is a joint venture between Rhenus AG & Co. KG, which has a 74.9 percent holding, and HHLA Container Terminals GmbH, which holds 25.1 percent of the shares. The Rhenus Group provides logistics services around the globe and has annual turnover amounting to EUR 3 billion. Rhenus employs more than 18,000 people at 290 business locations. Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) is one of the leading port logistics companies at Europe’s North Sea ports.

[mappress]

Source: cuxport, September 05, 2011