19 December 2023 | thyssenkrupp Steel invests mid–double–digit million euro amount in infrastructure modernisation at EECV
Bedeschi will supply a grab crane, one of the largest in its class, to Ertsoverslagbedrijf Europoort C.V. (EECV) in the port of Rotterdam.
The Italian machine and plant manufacturer specialises in the handling and storage of bulk goods. At the beginning of 2026, the grab crane is scheduled to go into operation at the EECV terminal in the port of Rotterdam. It is expected to play a central role in the handling of around 24 million tonnes of iron ore and coal annually. The iron ore will mainly be needed for thyssenkrupp direct reduction plants.
Bedeschi Germany is responsible for the engineering of the crane. If everything goes according to plan, the device will be delivered to the quay wall at the EECV terminal in Europoort Rotterdam and assembled by the end of 2025. Following a test phase, the new crane will then go into operation at the beginning of 2026.
2,600 tonnes of iron ore per hour
The grab crane from Bedeschi unloads both iron ore and, in the first few years of operation, coal. In Duisburg, in cooperation with the SMS Group, the first DRI plant is scheduled to come on stream in 2026 with a capacity of 2.5 million tons of direct reduced iron. Therefore, the handling of coal is expected to gradually decline from 2027.
With an overall height of 77 metres and a 98–metre–long crane bridge, it is one of the largest in its class. Thanks to a rail gauge of 21.5 metres, the crane achieves a reach of 38 metres on the sea side and 19 metres on the land side. It has a lifting capacity of 60 tonnes on the ropes and unloads 2,600 tonnes of iron ore and 1,800 tonnes of coal per hour.
The crane therefore guarantees reliable availability even in the demanding environment of raw materials handling.
Rino Bedeschi, CEO of Bedeschi, comments:
“The crane not only reflects our engineering expertise, but also emphasises our commitment to delivering solutions that redefine industry standards.“
thyssenkrupp Steel invests mid double–digit million euro amount
With the investment in the new crane, thyssenkrupp Steel is setting the course for modernising the infrastructure at EECV’s almost 100–hectare terminal site in the port of Rotterdam. The logistics company handles around 24 million tonnes of iron ore and coal per year there for steel production in the Ruhr region.
The replacement of one of the four grab cranes with a high–performance model from Bedeschi will also ensure the sustainable supply of raw materials for thyssenkrupp Steel’s future climate–friendly steel production.
“We are delighted to have Bedeschi, an experienced and proven European quality manufacturer, as a partner for our project, who fulfils our high standards of technical quality, energy efficiency, loading performance and environmental friendliness,“
says Frank Tazelaar, CEO of EECV and thyssenkrupp Veerhaven, the Dutch logistics subsidiaries of thyssenkrupp Steel.
Bedeschi has extensive experience in the development and manufacture of systems, machines and system solutions in the field of bulk goods logistics. The project represents a significant step for Bedeschi in the development of innovations in the field of material handling and positions the company as a leader in the global market.
About EECV
Ertsoverslagbedrijf Europoort C.V. (EECV) is a Dutch logistics subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe and Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann. With around 300 employees, the company operates one of the largest and most modern bulk handling facilities in Europe and the second largest bulk cargo terminal in the port of Rotterdam on the almost 100–hectare terminal site in the Europoort area of the port of Rotterdam. EECV handles around 24 million tonnes of iron ore and coal for steel production every year, which is transported to the Ruhr region via the Rhine by the push boat shipping company thyssenkrupp Veerhaven.
About Bedeschi
Bedeschi SpA was founded in Padua in 1908 and is today one of the oldest companies in Europe specialising in the development of turnkey solutions for bulk goods, container logistics and the brick industry. Today, the family business is managed by the fourth generation. Today’s expertise in design, technology and production is the result of more than 100 years of experience.
