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 MTE On-line Home Search Browse Links Contact Us Order books and other essentials from "Detour" Publications | | DHL's Floating Distribution Centre Heidi Eichwald NA Hoofddorp The Netherlands Sandra van der Ploeg NA Hoofddorp The Netherlands On October 23 1997, the Dutch Minister of Transport launched Amsterdam's first floating distribution centre. The project is an initiative of DHL Worldwide Express, an international company specializing in express transport. PILOT INITIATIVE IN AMSTERDAM. The DHL-boat, which looks like a typical tourist boat, sails through the canals of Amsterdam and serves as a base centre for bicycle couriers. All this results in fewer vans and consequently less traffic congestion in the centre of Amsterdam. The pilot project has a testing period of 18 months. Meanwhile, the city of Amsterdam is trying to interest more companies in a similar approach. BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT: improvement of the environment (10 cars every day are replaced, which means a reduction of 150,000 car-kilometres and 12,000 litres of diesel per year); less traffic congestion in the city centre; high flexibility of supply; a positive image for the city of Amsterdam; the stimulation of other businesses and logistics operators to be creative in solving accessibility problems; and job creation. The distribution centre employs 4 people on the boat and serves 20 bicycle couriers. FINANCING. The city of Amsterdam provided labour for project development. DHL financed the boat and other facilities. BARRIERS. The project has had no real barriers since it fits perfectly within the traffic policy of the city of Amsterdam. It is possible that during the summer when the canals are often crowded with tourist boats, it will be hard to make use of the landing docks. The testing period will evaluate these challenges. SUCCESSFUL MODEL IN DUBLIN. Amsterdam is not the first city in which this idea from DHL was implemented. In Dublin, Ireland, a DHL-bus drives around the city centre, making use of walking couriers for deliveries. This project has been in operation since 1995 and is very successful. Next to the environmental benefits, it has saved the company lots of money. This type of project is especially practical for cities with an historic centre and traffic congestion. Heidi Eichwald Heidi Eichwald presented at Moving the Economy on behalf of DHL. NA Hoofddorp The Netherlands Phone: Fax: Other Phone: Sandra van der Ploeg PR Executive. Contact for more information on this initiative. DHL Worldwide Express Kruisweg 601 NA Hoofddorp The Netherlands 2132 Phone: 31-20-655-5555 Fax: 31-20-653-2725 Other Phone: mailto:sploeg@ams-co.nl.dhl.com Last modified: 10/22/99 03:19:10 PM  | Project Profile Economic BenefitsStimulates New Business Creates / Improves Jobs Saves Money Project Description System / Infrastructure Business / Service Activity/Mode: Freight / Delivery Partners: DHL Worldwide Express City of Amsterdam Department of Infrastructure, Traffic and Transport For more information: http://www.dhl.com |
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