EUROGATE Wilhelmshaven is growing and plans to increase labour force by 50 %

For nearly four months now, two major alliances have been calling at the container terminal in Wilhelmshaven, causing the monthly container throughput on liner services to double since May. Feeder connections and new rail links round off the spectrum. The extensive recruitment programme foresees increasing the number of employees at EUROGATE’s Wilhelmshaven location from 400 at present to 600 as part of an agenda for the future. The major alliances with their largest container ships in the world mean higher handling volumes at the seaports, which terminal operators need to be able to clear quickly and efficiently. Due to its nautical access conditions and available yard area, EUROGATE Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven is ideally suited for productively handling the services of the major alliances. EUROGATE aims to further enhance its market position and offer its customers top handling performance on a sustained basis. To achieve this goal, the container terminal operator will require up to 200 predominantly operational staff in Wilhelmshaven over the next two years.

Mikkel Andersen, Managing Director of EUROGATE Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven: “Since the consolidation from four to three major alliances, our monthly handling figures have doubled and we are seeing a significantly increased level of interest in EUROGATE Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven both regionally and supraregionally. Now we have to chart the course for the future and strengthen our competitiveness. Compared to other port locations, Wilhelmshaven is a young port with a very young container terminal. The current consolidation process among the shipping lines and the resulting processes of change in the market provide EUROGATE with the opportunity in Wilhelmshaven to establish ourselves as a first-class container terminal. This is an opportunity we want to and must grasp. We are therefore building up our future capabilities in a difficult competitive environment.”

The increase in staff will take place as quickly as possible, but should nevertheless reflect the development in handling volumes. EUROGATE is conducting the training with its own instructors. The search for suitable candidates is directed at the entire labour market, mainly from the region around Wilhelmshaven, and includes job applicants who are currently without employment.

“The collaboration with the Employment Agency has in the past been an important factor when recruiting and qualifying personnel. Obviously, we want to continue to actively leverage this recruitment channel. We are looking to fill all manner of operational positions. Applicants should basically be prepared to undertake any operational task at the port, from operating large handling equipment to physically demanding lashing.”, Mikkel Andersen says.

EUROGATE is planning to launch an application procedure shortly, which will provide potential applicants with information concerning the required qualifications and details of the application process. Corresponding information will be made available on the EUROGATE website at www.eurogate.eu in due course.

Source: eurogate