Distributional centers in European ports

October 31, 2008

Faster development of distributional centers inside port started in late 80’s, when entrepreneurs tried to find new possibilities for their business extension. Port areas have strategic meaning and high development rate regards:

• Inside infrastructure
• Infrastructural links to the hinterland
• Relieves regards labor ant tax legislation
• Consideration of ecological standards, etc,…

Such distributional centers are systems, where selected activities and services of one or more supply chains take part in order to provide efficient delivery to final destinations. Beside that, extra value of the goods is added during the logistical process.

Distripark Eemhaven (35 ha) inside the Port of Rotterdam: Specialized for high quality products

Distributional strategy of non-European companies for their products in Europe should be oriented on providing of direct delivery to the final customer or buyer. Longer transit time, harder organization of door-to door delivery and necessary customs formalities cause unsatisfactory effectiveness of supply chain. Beside that, European markets are also full of differences in language, culture and tastes, what disable the sale of generic products and generate standardization of offered goods.

Most of foreign companies decide to build up one entry distributional center for European countries that fulfils warehousing needs and provides facilities for goods manipulation. During the manipulation processes, goods are prepared and typified for final door-to-door delivery to separate European markets. Through these processes, companies establish connections with local markets and supply quality goods that fit all the regulations of separate country…