Portwise partners with HES International to enable futureproof asset planning

Prior to the study:

We are pleased to announce that Portwise has been selected by HES International, the leading European seaport infrastructure operator for dry and liquid bulk products, as their partner in conducting simulation-based asset planning. This collaboration marks an important step in HES Internationals long-term strategy to strengthen operational insight and support investment planning across its dry and liquid bulk terminals.

HES International operates a network of strategically located terminals in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and France. With access to deep draft berths and strong hinterland connections via barge, rail, road and pipeline, these terminals play a vital role in Europe’s bulk logistics chain. Across 13 terminals in 4 countries at strategically located ports in Europe, HES International handles over 100 million tonnes of dry bulk annually, supported by 1.9 million cubic metres of liquid bulk storage and 1.5 million cubic metres of covered storage.

The dynamic simulation tool of Portwise will be applied for long-term asset planning for six of HES International’s key terminals:

• Three dry bulk terminals: HBTR (Rotterdam), HBTM (Botlek and Europoort), and HBTA (Amsterdam),
• Two liquid bulk terminals: HBTT (Botlek) and HWTT (Wilhelmshaven),
• One dry and liquid bulk terminal: HGBT (Gdynia, Poland).

By simulating the full terminal operation — from vessel arrival to landside dispatch — Portwise will provide detailed insight into performance under current and projected volume scenarios. This will allow HES International to benchmark existing operations, identify capacity gaps, and plan infrastructure and equipment investments accordingly.

With over 25 years of experience in bulk terminal design, Portwise combines operational and logistical expertise with advanced simulation tools to deliver futureproof solutions. Through close collaboration with HES International’s terminal teams, we will ensure outcomes that directly support the 2025 planning cycle and the long-term development strategy.

We are proud to support HES International in building a high-performing, resilient terminal network. Together, we are working towards smarter, more sustainable logistics for the future.

Ater the study:

Together with HES International, we have successfully completed the main phase of our study.

The dynamic simulation tool of Portwise is applied for long-term asset planning for six of HES International’s dry and liquid bulk terminals. By simulating the full bulk terminal operation — from vessel to landside — Portwise provided actionable insight into performance under current and projected volume scenarios. This milestone has given stakeholders a better understanding of operational trade-offs and long-term asset needs. The journey continues, but this is an achievement worth celebrating!

‘’Modelling the majority of our terminals has proven to be a crucial step in the development of HES International’s long-term asset plan. Portwise’s simulations increased insights into our asset base and as a result we are now better equipped to optimize our terminal layout to market developments. Further simulation will only enhance our understanding of bottlenecks and capacity in our core processes’’, says Jeroen van der Neut (COO of HES International)

Collaboration between HQ, the terminals, and our Portwise team was key to achieving this result. A big thank you to the various terminals HBTR, HBTA, HBTM, HGBT, HBTT and HWTT teams for their excellent support and collaboration. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and building on these outcomes together with HES.