CLdN Acquires Broekman Distriport, Expands and Diversifies in Rotterdam

CLdN recently announced the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Broekman Distriport Real Estate BV and its 100% subsidiary Broekman Distriport BV. The acquisition offers the scope to further grow and diversify CLdN’s service offering to and from the port of Rotterdam. Broekman Logistics announces investments in its Project Services terminal at Rotterdam-Heijplaat, converting it into a quayside location for assembly and technical services for industrial and offshore equipment and heavy machinery.

CldN grows and diversifies in Rotterdam

With the acquisition of the Distriport terminal, CLdN strengthens its position in Rotterdam. Distriport occupies a 22-hectare site on the opposite side of Brittanniëhaven from CLdN’s existing Rotterdam terminal. The infrastructure at Distriport includes 630 metres of quayside for roll-on / roll-off (RoRo) and load-on / load-off (LoLo) vessels; container handling and storage facilities.

Commenting on the acquisition, Florent Maes, CEO of CLdN, says: “The acquisition of Distriport fits perfectly with CLdN’s strategy of investing in high-quality port infrastructure. It will enable us to build on our own network of services in and out of Rotterdam and to provide additional benefits for existing and new customers”.

Broekman Logistics aims for further growth in strategic market segments

For Broekman Logistics, this transaction means the next step in realising its strategy as presented at the end of 2023. Broekman Logistics focuses on being an end-to-end supply chain specialist within the three market segments Machinery, Industrial and Chemicals. This, in contrast to the Distriport multipurpose terminal, where besides RoRo trailers, also steel and containers are handled.

“While Distriport has a clear strategic fit with CLdN’s activities, it is less assigned with Broekman Logistics’ strategic focus on being an industry specialist in Machinery, Industrial and Chemicals”, according to Rik Pek, CEO of Broekman Logistics. “The Distriport terminal has been very dear to us. Nonetheless, we are confident that all 80 colleagues will continue to have a good future with CLdN”.

A transaction with strategic value for both Broekman and CLdN

“When our neighbour CLdN approached us we realised that this transaction could further boost our already successful strategy”, says Nicolas Parey, CFO of Broekman Logistics. Broekman Logistics continues to focus on the breakbulk clients and industrial segment. Recently, the company added quayside crane capacity and a technical assembly hall at the Heijplaat terminal, which houses the largest indoor heavy-lift crane in the port of Rotterdam. “Furthermore, we will also actively explore how our assembly and ‘postponed manufacturing’ service offering can be expanded”, adds Parey.

Florent Maes, CEO of CLdN concludes: “We are looking forward to welcoming our new colleagues and to working together on developing new opportunities for the wider group.”