The logistics service provider of conditioned products Sealane Coldstorage BV is expanding its activities at Eemshaven. There will be a new cold store with a storage capacity of approximately 8,000 tons, and the existing quay is being extended by 100 metres to meet the increasing demand for cargo handling. This new building project involves an investment of 6.5 million euros. The project was made possible by means of a grant from Regional Investment Support Groningen (RIG).

The building activities are due to start in November, and the new facilities are expected to be ready in July 2018. Sealane’s intensive acquisition activities in recent years have enabled it to expand substantially, especially in the storage of frozen fish.
Scandinavian countries in particular, but also Japan, Russia and Northern Germany, are good markets. “We’re not the biggest in the market, but we do provide the best service,’ says CEO Geralt Vels. And that’s a very important condition, especially for Japan. In recent years cold stores were rented elsewhere in addition to the storage at Eemshaven. “Of course, investing in a new building isn’t the first step you take, but if the market conditions stay the same this is the most efficient and expensive way to go. We consciously chose Eemshaven rather than anywhere else for our expansion. “This makes it possible for us to strengthen our current activities and guarantee current and existing jobs,” says Vels. The company is currently employing 25 people. The investment is expected to add at least another seven direct jobs. Sealane is also extending its quay at the Eemshaven terminal by over 100 metres, including a new roll on-roll off facility. “That will enable us to give our customers the best possible service at both Emmahaven and Julianahaven, where approximately 135 metres of quay space is available.

Sealane operates a weekly line service from Eemshaven to Norway. Since last summer the Icelandic shipping company Samskip has taken over the Norwegian shipping company NorLines, which runs the line service. “We have every confidence that this will help the line service to develop for frozen fish and dry cargo, both for the northern and southern goods flows,” stresses Vels.

Sealane has been established at Eemshaven since the 1970s and concentrates on the storage and transhipment of various cargo types that are shipped by sea or land. Most of the goods are foods that are kept in cold stores. In recent years the company has also turned to the wind offshore market, the steel industry and various other port-logistics services.

The Sealane location in Eemshaven. RBK Deventer designed the new cold store (artist impression at the bottom left side) and is also responsible for supervising the building work.