|
|
|
|
Mounting a Superb Logistics Service |
|
|
|
Archives -
2007 Archive
|
|
Written by B. Tyril
|
|
Tuesday, 22 May 2007 |
Offering a 24/7 cold storage, warehousing and management service to foreign and domestic vessels, Bergfrost — in the heart of the thriving port of Fuglafjörður — takes pride in handling goods in the most time-effective manner.
For those who need to put their frozen seafood temporarily in a proper place, a cold store in a secure mountain tunnel carved out of solid rock and situated in an harbor area packed with services for the fishing industry must be quite unbeatable — in the middle of the North Atlantic, in a country surrounded by rich fishing grounds, favorably located in relation to major sea lanes.
So for Fuglafjörður logistics services provider Bergfrost, such a unique cold storage facility is a key offering. With a total storage capacity of 29,000 cubic meters — or 8,000 metric tons of frozen goods — Bergfrost’s facility offers the highest level of operational security imaginable: in the unlikely event of an operational disruption, the storage temperature will stay constant nonetheless for very long, relatively, thanks to the insulating ability of the mountain rock. The facility’s full advantage, however, is first realized when viewed in the context of a range of services available, according to Bergfrost managing director Janus Rasmussen.
“More and more ships discover that it pays to let us handle their goods,” Mr Rasmussen says.
Whether it’s drygoods or frozen cargo, warehouse items or spare parts, Bergfrost has an effective system for taking care of it, he adds.
Next to the mountain tunnel, by a purpose-built quayside for easy transit, Bergfrost’s spacious sorting hall, authorized by the HFS (Food, Veterinary and Environmental Agency), houses a BIP (Border Inspection Point) station for convenient transfer of third-country goods into the European Union.
With services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Bergfrost is constantly seeking to optimize working processes, Mr Rasmussen explains - from unloading to back loading, from logistics planning to management services.
While saving time is bound to make sense for everyone, working proactively, in close cooperation with clients, is seen as critical to successful outcome.
“Effective communication and planning together with quality management makes all the difference. What we do, together with our clients, is constantly creating and developing the Bergfrost service product. For instance, with one client, it would at first take a total 36 hours to unload their ship and have their goods safely stored. We thought the process could possibly be sped up for the benefit of our client and ourselves. So we would exchange a few words about potential improvements involving both sides.”
It turned out the next time the client came to the Bergfrost terminal, the total processing time had been reduced by several hours because of a few measures that had been taken to improve workflow; and through the following next few rounds, efficiency increased further.
“We managed together to streamline the process to the extent that the average processing time was reduced to 23 hours. My point is, it takes some planning, some communication and a little effort to gain a lot in terms of saving time and effort and avoiding unnecessary hurdles.”
Known to an international fleet of pelagic fishing vessels as the most frequented port in the Faroes, Fuglafjörður offers a comprehensive range of maritime services. The port offers essential services and supplies for many types of ships, and is regarded as one of the safest, most easily accessible natural harbors in the country.
The harbor itself has seen ongoing development over the years. With a new deepwater terminal already completed to make way for a new bunkering facility, a major northward extension of the area around Bergfrost is currently in the pipeline.
“One of the advantages with a location like Fuglafjörður is that you have a committed community, and both the port authority and the local industry recognize that their common interests are best served by making sure the harbor infrastructure is prioritized. The municipality and businesses have invested large amounts to extend and improve quaysides and install new facilities in the area, and these investments are likely to continue in the months and years ahead.”
On the national level, a comprehensive trade agreement between the Faroes and Iceland, signed in 2006, may pave the way for increased traffic.
“In addition to Faroese and Icelandic vessels our market also includes those from other countries, like Greenland, Norway, Russia, and EU member countries. The agreement with Iceland will have positive implications if certain political barriers are eased; only the future can tell how sea traffic will be affected.”
Link to pdf presentation...
|
|
|
Archives