This summer the port company CMP signed an agreement with the Chinese vehicle manufacturer BYD. The hope is that the collaboration with China will continue – and increase. ”We would very much like e-commerce companies to establish themselves in the port”, says Ann-Charlotte Halldén Åkeson, key account manager at CMP in Malmö.
CMP, or Copenhagen Malmö Port, was formed in 2001 in connection with the opening of the Öresund Bridge. Instead of both cities competing for port operations in the Sound, the decision was taken to assess the benefits of becoming one large, strong actor in the region.
The collaboration has developed and the company has grown, not least after the opening of Northern Harbour in 2011, which among other things entailed ferry services, container operations and train services being moved from central Malmö out to Northern Harbour. The fact is that Northern Harbour is the third largest infrastructure initiative in the region after the Öresund Bridge and the City Tunnel, and it was precisely thanks to the latter project that the harbour was created – using the material excavated from the train tunnel.
Full service port
“CMP is a full service port which basically handles all types of goods. A large proportion of the operation in Malmö consists of the car segment. We handle about 350,000 vehicles a year, which is the highest number of any of Scandinavia’s ports. It is a slightly up and down market, which is affected by the situation in the wider world. For example, many of the cars are shipped from Asia and Europe via Malmö to Russia and the situation there affects the deliveries”, reports Ann-Charlotte Halldén Åkeson.
CMP has been collaborating for some time with the Chinese company BYD, which is the world’s leading supplier of electric-powered buses and taxis. CMP receives electric buses in Malmö for onward transport in the country.
“We are really proud that we are collaborating with such a major player, and one which is making serious inroads into the market. We have had two different shipments so far – one to Eskilstuna and one to Ängelholm. We are hoping that this collaboration can grow further.”
Want to attract e-commerce companies
The hope is that it can lead to Chinese e-commerce companies also being attracted to Öresund.
“The e-commerce segment is growing within the warehousing and logistics industry, and the Chinese have made considerable advances there. They are also actively looking for suitable locations to establish themselves in Europe. And in that context we would very much like to be involved”, she says, and continues:
“We have been active in China for several years, with our own representation and with sister ports, among other things. However, it is a long-term and time-consuming task. We are holding discussions with various operations, both with companies that build warehouses and with e-commerce companies. The most important thing is that the customer perceives the benefits of being located in Northern Harbour; the speed with which freight is handled, by sea and rail, as well as by road directly out onto the E6. And the proximity to Kastrup is also tremendously important.”
A comprehensive logistics solution
Green Cargo’s new direct shuttle started to roll between Malmö and Stockholm in September last year. The shuttle gives the customers access to a comprehensive logistics solution which further improves the service and the coverage.
“It is highly significant for customers which require a direct link to Stockholm, but also for customers which need space, because we have plenty of it here, and there is also the potential for further expansion. The terminal in Northern Harbour has an area of 700,000 square metres, half of which is asphalted.”
What is happening in the near future in Northern Harbour?
“Numerous discussions are in progress, and a substantial number of sites have been reserved. We are currently working with Skanska, which is constructing a “kubiklager” in Northern Harbour. It is a flexible warehouse space of 17,000 square metres. Construction is scheduled to start at any time, and it will be completed one year later.”
Henrik Ahnström is business area manager at Skanska.
”Northern Harbour Kubiklager will offer the market efficient logistics premises on modern and flexible terms in the best location directly adjacent to the port area and the rail network. Malmö City is investing heavily in the infrastructure, which will further increase accessibility to road, rail and sea transports”, says Henrik Ahnström.
Henrik Ekberg / Lokalnytt
https://www.lokalnytt.se/artiklar/1352/cmp-vill-utoka-samarbetet-with-China