Quayside with ECS

ECS European Containers N.V. was founded in the European port of Zeebrugge in Belgium. Irish Trucker takes a look at the companyÕs Irish activities with Operations Manager Martin OÕShea.

Martin O'Shea, ECS Containers

ECS European Containers specialises in international door-to-door container transport servicing Ireland, the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Holland, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Poland, Romania, Turkey and Hungary through a network of sister companies. Founded in 1988, the company is headquartered in Zeebrugge, at the heart of the European shipping scene, with upwards on 3,500 45-foot pallet wide containers at its disposal. Irish operations focus on a loop, between Warrenpoint, Waterford, Radicatel and Zeebrugge. ÒWe have two new vessels servicing Zeebrugge, Waterford and Warrenpoint. They are the MV Aquarius - a 133 metre 700 TEU vessel, which was launched last year and the MV Lupus, a 140 metre 750 TEU vessel, which was launched on St. PatrickÕs Day. We have a third new vessel the Marus, which services Radicatel to Waterford,Ó Martin confirmed.

Unloading at Warrenpoint

In reviewing ECS European ContainersÕ Irish operations mention must be made to C2C Lines, which owns the MV Aquarius, and the MV Lupus. Martin who is also a director of C2C Lines: explained: ÒC2C Lines is a joint venture between ECS European Container Services and Cobelfret Ferries. Cobelfret is one of BelgiumÕs largest maritime groups, with an extensive range of services.Ó He continued: ÒC2C Lines was formed in 2001. It is an Irish owned company, with two partners - ECS who are the road transport experts and Cobelfret, who are experts in the field of shipping and port operations.Ó

Since inception ECS Container Services has opted for a complete centralisation of its activities relating to management, operations and accounts at its head offices in Zeebrugge. That leaves Waterford and Warrenpoint free to deal with commercial and quayside issues. Martin elaborated: Ò I am operations manager for Ireland, which covers both Waterford and Warrenpoint while John Bennett is the commercial manager in Warrenpoint and John Coleman, who previously worked for the company in Waterford, looks after operations.Ó

John Coleman, operations manager, Warrenpoint

Wearing his C2C hat Martin revealed that volumes are growing at an impressive rate. ÒThat is why we have purchased three new vessels in the past two years. The new vessels also give a greater dependability of service.Ó He continued: ÒC2C LinesÕ main customer would be ECS European Containers. CobelfretÕs container division also uses the service, but we will also take third party containers.Ó With volumes predicted to grow for the foreseeable future, C2C Lines is already planning ahead and hope to sign a contract for another new vessel early next year. Holding his cards extremely close to his chest, Martin wouldnÕt comment on whether the new vessel would see service on the existing routes, ÒPossibly, but the company is looking at other routes, which are currently being investigated,Ó Martin hedged.

ECS European Containers Services has been operating out of Waterford since 1999 ands Warrenpoint since 2002. Martin revealed the benefits of using these ports. Waterford and Warrenpoint offer 24/7 accessibility. They are not congested, which means easy access to the roads network.Ó

He continued: ÒFrom Warrenpoint we can service the whole of the North and back down as far as Dublin, while we can service the south and the east of the country from Waterford. We can hit practically anywhere in the country from these two ports. In Dublin weÕre are as competitive as Dublin-based shipping lines.Ó

No matter how efficient the ports, they are only as good as the road networks that service them. Martin continued: ÒIt is absolutely essential that we get a motorway from Waterford to Dublin. The road network across the country is improving slowly, but surely, we now need a motorway from Dublin to the south east.Ó To facilitate road distribution in Ireland ECS European Container Services utilises a network of locally based hauliers.

John Bennett, commercial manager, Warrenpoint

ÒWe would have a network of hauliers, who are controlled from Belgium on our books. Many of those hauliers started with just one truck with us, but I am pleased to say they have grown with us over the years.Ó This partnership approach means that ECS European Container Services has a steady stream of hauliers looking to act on their behalf. ÒNew hauliers are coming on board all of the time. As the volumes grow, and we expect further growth this year, so too will the number of hauliers working with us.Ó As alluded to earlier the haulage function is controlled from Zeebrugge. Martin elaborated: ÒThere is a dedicated team in Zeebrugge that manages Irish planning. They cover all of the bookings and they are in daily contact with all the truckers.Ó ÒIt doesnÕt matter whether it is in Waterford, Warrenpoint or for that matter, Milan or Barcelona, every truck, every movement is controlled from Zeebrugge.Ó He continued: ÒFrom a hauliers point of view it minimises empty running. Because the whole operation is centralised, we see every load that needs to be delivered, so we can get the best utilisation out of the trucks.Ó Increasingly, door-to-door container transport is seen as a cost effective alternative to ro / ro transport. ÒIn 1999 we had just one vessel, now we have three vessels on the route. We have also increased vessel size and speed on the routes.Ó On the export side ECS European Container Services is acting for a plethora of blue-chip companies in a myriad of sectors. ÒWe carry for a very broad spectrum of customers, from raw materials through to finished goods. We can carry bulk containers, 40-foot containers and 45-foot containers. That covers everything from pharmaceuticals to over the counter goods.Ó On the import side ECS European Container Services would have a similar customer base, with even greater volumes. He added: ÒHistorically the volume of westbound traffic has always exceeded east bound traffic. That doesnÕt cause us a problem because we control our own ships. We can move equipment as required within the group.Ó Operating in what is ultimately a price sensitive market with low margins, ECS European Container Services differentiates itself from the competition on service levels. ÒThe shipping business mirrors the haulage industry where margins are extremely tight. Everybody offers the same combination - containers, trucks and ships. It is what you do with that combination that makes the difference,Ó Martin revealed. To that end ECS European Container Services sets its stall out to deliver exceptionally high levels of service to all of its customers. ÒThe customer likes the direct sailings and they like that we remain in contact with them at all times from collection to delivery.Ó He continued: ÒThey like the fact that Waterford and Warrenpoint are open 24/7 and that we use reliable and customer focused hauliers. The customer chooses us because we offer a total service package.Ó