Port Consultants Rotterdam counts with broad and worldwide experience in the development of technical, financial and (socio-)economic feasibility studies for port developments (for reference, please visit PCR’s feasibility studies project references).
Pre-feasibility studies
For projects at their very early stage, with little information and data available, Port Consultants Rotterdam recommends starting with a pre-feasibility study, which will identify the key issues and bottlenecks for successful port development, as well as the existing data and information gaps. At a pre-feasibility level, a high-level assessment is conducted applying a mix of project specific and benchmark data in a financial model, which represents the business case of the project for a period of typically 25 years. The pre-feasibility assessment is intended to obtain a first idea of the potential of the project, without spending a large budget on consultancy services. If the project is considered attractive enough to pursue, a feasibility study with more detail can be conducted.
Feasibility studies
Upon completion of a pre-feasibility study, or in projects at a more advanced stage, a full feasibility study can be carried out, which should lead to a bankable project and can form the basis for preparations for construction. For this purpose, Port Consultants Rotterdam makes use of Business Case steering.
A risk analysis can also be conducted to determine the potential impact of uncontrollable changes in critical economic and political factors, to determine the economic and political feasibility of each alternative development option.
Port Consultants Rotterdam’s added value
For conducting the (Socio-)Economic Feasibility Analysis and the Risk Analysis, Port Consultants Rotterdam uses a methodology similar to that recommended by the World Bank and ADB etc. However, the value-added by the Port Consultants Rotterdam team lies in the fact that while using the World Bank guidelines and staying true to their standards, we have significantly modified and developed our own comprehensive economic, financial and risk/sensitivity analysis models, which are specially customized for developing ports. Our economic and risk models have been tried and tested in several port PPP, investment, and acquisition transactions we have conducted for our clients and have been proven reliable in predicting the benefit-cost and economic feasibility of planned port investments.
Projects related to ‘Feasibility studies’
Greenfield port feasibility study
Currently, Nicaragua does not count with a port in the Atlantic coast of the country. This implies that all imports and exports from/to Europe, Asia and the eastern coast of the United States and south America need to pass through the Panama Canal or make use of other ports in Honduras and Costa Rica, implying additional transport costs and time. For that reason, a feasibility study for a greenfield port in the Atlantic side of Nicaragua (Bluefields) is being made. PCR tasks included the market study and forecasts, translation of volumes into terminals requirements, phased development, determination of equipment and characteristics, and definition of other port areas and requirements.
10-year masterplan
Naval Logistic LLC operates a multi-purpose terminal in Nikolaev Sea Port. At the existing 550m long berth the terminal currently handles grain, scrap and steel products. Naval Logistic envisages a growing market share and is preparing plans to expand their services and enable a significantly larger cargo throughput, including containers. PCR has been requested to develop an operational concept for the terminal expansion including CapEx and OpEx estimates, and to prepare a road map towards implementation.
Strategic plan new port Giurgiu
The project is located in Giurgiu Romania. Giurgiu is the nearest city along the Danube from Bucharest (distance between Giurgiu and Bucharest is appr. 70 km). The border crossing bridge from Bulgaria to Romania is also located in Giurgiu and makes this port the most suitable location for a regional inter-modal hub for the increasing cargo flows from and to deep-sea port Constanta. The expected economic growth of both Romania and Bulgaria will require an inter-modal solution for the cargo routing from and to Constanta. The present port of Giurgiu does not comply with the modern technologies and environmental demands, what makes expansion of the present port impossible. The project comprises a feasibility study including basic design and investment cost estimate for a new river port for the handling of containers, mineral bulk, agri bulk and liquids.
Energy Neutral Zeeland
Feasibility study to the question of the Provincial Administration how the most industrialized province of The Netherlands, Zeeland, can achieve energy neutrality within its administrative borders. Includes elaboration of mapping of energy production and industrial landscape (ports and industrial agglomeration). Research to the application of a mix of sustainable energy production sources, reduction of energy consumption by implementing new technology and exchange of industrial residual energy flows, and modification of existing policies and legislation.
Bahia Blanca Masterplan
After the development of the Strategic Plan of the Port of Bahía Blanca, PCR was involved in continuing with the port masterplan, ensuring that the port layout is in line with the port vision. For this process, PCR focuses on the financial feasibility to adjust the port configuration. The masterplan also complies with social, environmental and legal objectives for a sustainable port development. The next steps in the process include the assessment of the present terminal concession frameworks and advising on the set-up of future concessions based on a shadow business case.
Pacific Ports Masterplan
Port Consultants Rotterdam was involved by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (of Costa Rica) to develop the masterplan of the ports on the Pacific coast, with emphasis on Puerto Caldera. For the different locations a masterplan will be drafted, including supporting logistical calculations and designs of all terminals. Other ports included are Golfito, Quepos, Puntarenas and Puerto Morales.
Privatization of 10 ports
The objective of the project was the privatization of 10 Greek ports of different size, location and type of cargo handling. PCR carried out a commercial assessment and provided advisory services for the realization of privatization and concession schemes which are attractive from a potential investor’s perspective. For this purpose, PCR assessed the development, transaction and commercial potential of each port, to later advise for the preparation and execution of the tender processes.
Porto Central Feasibility and Commercial Set-up
PCR was asked to review and update the masterplan of a greenfield port in the area of Espiritu Santo (Brazil). In particular, PCR was involved in optimizing the project to make it feasible, including both technical and commercial aspects.
Development greenfield port
Port Consultants Rotterdam was involved with Boskalis to make a technical feasibility and layout study for a greenfield port. For the given location, a preliminary masterplan was drafted, including supporting logistical calculations and preliminary designs of all terminals, consisting of:
- Container terminal;
- Break Bulk terminal;
- Multipurpose terminal;
- Liquid Bulk and gas terminal;
- Industrial and logistic centres;
- Supporting infrastructure.
Inland Port Development Waalwijk
Contractors Mourik Groot Ammers BV and Hakkers BV were shortlisted to develop, construct and operate a new river port in the town of Waalwijk, on a 25 year BOT scheme. PCR was hired as consultant to elaborate the design, phasing and business case for the new port, including container, dry bulk and liquid bulk cargoes.
If you want to know more about what Port Consultants Rotterdam can mean for your port or terminal or if you have any other enquiries, please contact us!