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‘Amsterdam is<br />
a very entrepreneurfriendly<br />
place’<br />
Ten years ago, we – as<br />
Rotterdammers – established<br />
a presence in Amsterdam by<br />
taking a 50% stake in Rietlanden.<br />
By acquiring this interest, we<br />
wanted to spread our risks in<br />
the logistics chain in the ARA<br />
area (Amsterdam, Rotterdam<br />
and Antwerp). It was easy to<br />
begin operations in Amsterdam<br />
because customers of ours<br />
were already working together<br />
with Rietlanden. And we continued<br />
to expand there, going<br />
from 8 hectares to 20 hectares<br />
and then to 30 hectares. Since<br />
<strong>2006</strong>, we have been operating<br />
the new coal terminal in the<br />
Afrikahaven on a 60-hectare<br />
site. The German coalmining<br />
industry is being phased out.<br />
That means greater quantities<br />
of coal imported by Germany.<br />
The alternatives – gas and oil –<br />
aren’t as reliable, often coming<br />
from politically unstable coun-<br />
tries and being finite energy<br />
sources. The EU is promoting<br />
the consumption of coal, party<br />
because CO2 emissions can be<br />
monitored precisely.<br />
Since we became active in<br />
Amsterdam, we’ve received<br />
a great deal of support form<br />
the Port of Amsterdam; the<br />
Directorate-General for Public<br />
Works and Water Management;<br />
and the Provincial Government<br />
of North Holland. Amsterdam<br />
gives strong support to the<br />
business community. As long as<br />
we feel welcome here, we will<br />
continue to invest in Amsterdam.<br />
Bert lagendijk<br />
Managing Director of the LBH<br />
Group, active around the world<br />
in the shipping, logistics and<br />
distribution of dry bulk, including<br />
coal.<br />
IJmuiden 9 km >
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