G e n era l Cargo
VCK: A focus on innovation VCK, the oldest freight brokerage in Amsterdam, has grown into a modern logistics company that focuses heavily on information technology (ICT).
Hustle and bustle at VCK’s Scandia Terminal
A large number of Ro/Ro vessels that form
the time, there were also in-house
as wood, paper and cellulose. In addition,
part of a regular service to Scandinavia
programmers working on software
a great deal of steel, aluminium and zinc
and Finland have been using VCK’s Scandia
development. Today, over forty years
also finds its way to Amsterdam from
Terminal for years. The vessels never
of automation later, VCK has the latest
northern Europe. “Our role begins with the
spend more than a few hours in port,
information systems for custom-made
unloading of these products, followed by
during which time all incoming freight is
efficient and creative logistics applications.
storage and distribution,” Brauns says. “Our
offloaded and outgoing cargo brought on
An open system structure ensures
warehouses are designed for both storage
board.
optimal communication with customers,
and phased transit to recipients, which
authorities, subcontractors and suppliers.
allows them to minimise in-house storage
VCK has reinforced its position in European
space and reduce costs.”
short-sea traffic considerably over the past
staff and technology
decade. Initially a ship broker, stevedore
“Our software helps us to analyse and
Waterland Terminal
and shipping agent, the company has
improve business processes,” Brauns
VCK’s traffic volume had been increasing
grown into an all-round integrated
points out. “We also devote a great deal
steadily in the years before the economic
logistics service provider, with a substantial
of attention to personal relationships,
downturn, leading to a clear need for
presence outside the Netherlands. The
quality and safety. Our first priority is to
expansion. “We chose to solve this in an
company uses the latest ICT applications
put ourselves in our customers’ shoes
original way by acquiring a stake in the
for its various activities. “We consider
when working out how their logistics are
Waterland Terminal, where part of the
it crucial to closely monitor current
organised and what their needs are. This
Scandinavian cargo is unloaded,” Brauns
developments in the transportation
is why we are constantly investing in both
says.” We also have an entirely different
industry and always respond creatively,”
staff and technology, which has allowed
maritime activity in the form of our service
general manager Jeroen Brauns explains.
VCK to build up a whole team of logistics
provision for cruise vessels – in addition to
whiz kids.”
acting as an agent for various cruise lines,
Forty years of ICT
VCK is also involved in baggage handling
The first computer, a massive IBM
The short-sea connections with the
mainframe for accounting, was introduced
Scandinavian and Finnish ports represent
by VCK all the way back in 1969. At
a regular supply of forest products such
18 Amsterdam Seaports No. 2 2011 www.amports.nl
and the loading and unloading of supplies.” www.vck.nl