Transparency & Confidentiality

T.J. (Hans) Meeuwisse
Managing director

This Month's Features:

Order your free Calendar 2004
European transportation
“Lkw Maut” continued...
Baltics: Expanding operations
Dutch struggle with waterlevels
Labour in the Port and Dutch economic outlook
Customs: Physical checks on FeMo
New VAT no. for fiscal representation: NL 802855751 B01
Monthly Statement
Products handled/Services provided
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Joke of the Month

Order your free Calendar 2004

Each year Vulcaanhaven sends out her free complimentary calendars to all her clients and business relations. They enjoy a large popularity worldwide. In order to not dissapoint you, please order your free calendar through our website: http://www.vulcaanhaven.com/request-calendar.htm. We will have ample stock, but we do not wish to dissapoint clients when calendars are used up. If you order timely, we will endeavour to have the calendars on your desk first half of december.

European transportation

With water levels in the Rhine and other European rivers at historical low levels, tonnages to be moved over water are now finding their way to their destination over the road instead. This results in a temporary increase in trucking rates. Also we find that trucks cannot be booked at short notice, especially into France and Spain. Please take this into account when arranging transports to these destinations. (more information: Sebastiaan@vulcaanhaven.nl)

“Lkw Maut” continued...

German Transport Minister Mr.Stolpe firmly believes the LKW Maut will be installed as per 02nd November without any further difficulties and/or delays. An organisation named Consortium Toll Collect, responsible for the satellite receivers for automatic levy to be installed in the trucks, believes she will be able to deliver on time. Dutch authorities stated that of the 30.000/35.000 required boxes, until recently only 1200 are delivered. Brussels however sees no further reason to delay the proces as long as Berlin does not compensate German truckers. We advised you earlier that if the tax is installed this will lead to a substantial price increase on transportcosts into Germany. (more information: Sebastiaan@vulcaanhaven.nl)

Baltics: Expanding operations

With referenda held or on their way the Baltic States have entered the final stage for entrance into the EU. In Estonia a big majority voted yes for entrance. In Latvia the refernendum was held yesterday and the results showed a 67% vote in favour of EU-membership.

With our activities based in Tallinn, we are expanding Baltic operations in preparation to entrance in the EU. In Kaliningrad, which will become a Russian enclave in the EU after entrance of the Baltics, we have established ourselves through our local agent, who gives an excellent service for all handling through this Russian Special Economic Zone. If and when railage rates over Baltic States will level out, Vulcaanhaven services will be spread out over other ports as well.

Do you require a good, solid service, prompt responses, and a direct line between Russia and Vulcaanhaven? Choose us! At Vulcaanhaven we have everything you need. Working with Vulcaanhaven and her existing network in the Baltics makes your work easier. For further enquiries about sailing/handlings to and from the Baltics please contact Ms. Tatjana Boiko. (more information: Tatjana@vulcaanhaven.ee)

Dutch struggle with waterlevels
 
Holland has a long history with water. Remember Hans and the finger in the dike? The Dutch are known all over the world for their continued struggle with water. Whatelse can you do with a large percentage of Holland below sealevel. Now the Dutch are not faced with flooding of their lowlands by high waterlevels in rivers or by the sea, but by severe drought causing problems for farmers and even leading to the partial collapse of some inland dikes.

The solution for the low groundwater levels in the western part of Holland was to let water into the Dutch polders (i.o. pump it out as under normal circumstances) by an ingenious system diverting water from the north of Holland into the western part. This is actually turning the waterstream in the north of Holland the other way! Some smaller inland dikes which partially collapsed were torn by the heat and drought weakening the structure. Luckily there was only some material damage and repairs are on their way. (more information: HansM@vulcaanhaven.nl)

Labour in the Port and Dutch economic outlook

Labour in the Port: not attractive. A recent study by the Erasmus University has shown that youth finds work in the Port ‘heavy, dirty & no fun’. Port labour is  associated with low pay and no challenges. With IT and real estate business seen as most attractive until recently, the comparison made with port labour is in our
opinion not correct. Port Management studies have indicated work in the Port demands a long term view in terms of investments, as well as creativity, imagination & hard work. But work in this industry contains all ingredients for a very rewarding and interesting career in the largest port of the world, Rotterdam.

With unemployment rising to a figure of more than 400.000 this year the Dutch governement last week announced harsh measures to cope with hard times. Although there is controversy in growth figures of last year, the Dutch economy has not seen growth for 2 quarters and has come to a standstill.

Vulcaanhaven is now operational for 24 months on the new terminal. We still see substantial growth in our business each quarter. Against all odds? It appears that way. We believe that warehouses/stevedores with added value (crushing/screening) who also offer out forwarding & customs services, all in one, are flexible, client oriented instruments for customers worldwide handling their daily business. We believe Vulcaanhaven fits that description perfectly. Vulcaanhaven will continue to motivate young students to join us and work hard at customers satisfaction!

Customs: Physical checks on FeMo

Over the last month we notice an increase in physical checks on FeMo by the Dutch Customs in Rottedam when we want to customs clear FeMo into the EU. This means that for material that needs to be processed and delivered, JIT deliveries (Just In Time) become harder and harder. During a physical check customs need to see the material in original state, i.e. original packing and size. At some occasions customs are sampling material for FeMo content as well as checking values on invoices in comparison with worldwide market values. When we learn from the customs office that they want to do a check on the material, we have to wait for them, before we can start processing the material or even opening the drums/bags.

Our advice: if you know you are selling duty paid, clear material immedeatly. This way you are able to avoid delays in processing or deliveries. (more information: Gertjan@vulcaanhaven.nl)

New VAT no. for fiscal representation: NL 802855751 B01

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For people who talk too much about others, be aware:

“…Who will gossip with you, will gossip of you…”

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Products handled/Services provided

On a daily basis we discharge, store and handle a broad range of metals (base, minor, noble, ferro alloys) and minerals at Vulcaanhaven. We have the facilities to crush/screen/repack almost all ferro alloys (noble/bulk) before delivery to your clients. Vessels can be discharged directly at our private quay . Depending on the product we have open and covered storage facilities for bulk products. Our Pig Iron open storage area is 20 meters from our weighbridge, which guarantees quick loading times.

Vulcaanhaven offers you:

- Stevedoring/Warehousing/Processing/Forwarding.
- Decimal weighing
- Weighbridge weighing (160mt).
- No third party arrangements, all work carried out on our terminal with our equipment.
- Your one stop shop. Efficient, neutral, confidential.
- Services based on dedicated people and reliable equipment.

For further information please visit www.vulcaanhaven.com

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Fiscal Representation: the administrative monster?

A: Vulcaanhaven and Lehnkering Logistics pride themselves in an excellent administrative working procedure on fiscal representation. The only problem that remains is that without returning the respective CMR waybills and copy sales invoices, we remain liable for all VAT. Amounts are considerable and returning CMR waybills (signed for receipt at place of destination) well in time, means a lot to us. Obviously when transports are arranged by third parties, there is no way we can be sure these documents are returned to us timely, and we have large problems obtaining a signed CMR waybill.

For customs cleareance with fiscal representation, we will therefore only act as your fiscal agent if the transport is carried out by ourselves as well. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

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