Bertschi Group Inaugurates Branch at the Yangtze Delta

The Bertschi Group, a multinational Swiss logistics service provider, is pleased to announce the successful opening ceremony of its Zhangjiagang Liquids Chemical Hub. The event took place on July 5 and 6 and was attended by high-ranking government officials and over 250 valued customers. The new hub, located in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta, is considered one of the safest and most sustainable chemical logistics centers in China and marks an important milestone in the history of Bertschi.

(Dürrenäsch/Zhangjiagang) After a total project duration of 6 years and overcoming numerous challenges, including the unexpected outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebrations for the official opening were well-deserved for all involved. Since the hub has been operational since the beginning of the year, the event was a great opportunity to showcase the impressive infrastructure and service offerings of this unique logistics center to customers.

Portfolio of Value-Added Services for Chemical Hazardous Goods

The hub is a modern and secure hazardous goods facility with a storage capacity of 50,000 tons and an annual throughput capacity of over 500,000 tons of various chemical products. It features an isotank storage facility with a capacity of up to 1,100 loaded hazardous goods tank containers, as well as three warehouses with a total capacity of 25,000 pallets of various classes of hazardous goods. An automated drum filling system ensures maximum productivity in filling drums and IBCs. With advanced heating and cooling options for containers, including steam, hot water, electric heating, and electric cooling, the hub offers chemical industry customers a wide range of value-added services.

Strategically Ideal Location in the Yangtze River Delta

The hub is located in the thriving Yangtze River International Chemical Industry Park next to the free trade zone in Zhangjiagang and benefits from its strategic location in one of the most dynamic economic regions in China. Its location on the Yangtze River also ensures seamless connectivity to global transport networks and efficient distribution of chemical products throughout China and beyond. “The hub perfectly complements Bertschi’s global logistics network and enables worldwide door-to-door supply chain solutions that support our customers in their rapid expansion plans in China and across Asia,” explains Jan Arnet, CEO of the Bertschi Group.

The container storage is also open to tank containers from all operators; this allows chemical shippers to use the container farm as a sustainable Yangtze Delta entry hub for product storage in isotanks across service providers in their IT systems.

The new chemical logistics center is located in close proximity to the Zhangjiagang port, from which daily direct container feeder ships operate to the world’s largest port, Shanghai, located 150 kilometers away, as well as direct shipping connections to Korea and Japan. This location enables the hub to support the political goal of shifting the road transit of hazardous goods between the port of Shanghai and the hinterland to inland vessels, thereby relieving the roads of the 25 million inhabitants of the Shanghai metropolitan area. This shift in traffic from road to waterway can improve traffic safety and sustainability while minimizing negative environmental impacts.

Grand Ceremony for the Opening

The opening ceremony of the Zhangjiagang Liquids Hub represents a remarkable milestone in the history of Bertschi. “The facility is the largest single investment in our company’s history. It signals our strong commitment to the growth and success of our customers from around the world in China,” said Hans-Jörg Bertschi, Executive Chairman of the Bertschi Group. The two-day event highlighted Bertschi’s commitment to providing customers with an unparalleled experience. In the presence of the Swiss Consul General in Shanghai, Sacha Bachmann, the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee of Zhangjiagang, Mr. Han, the permanent member of the Municipal Party Committee of Zhangjiagang, Mr. Lu, the Deputy Mayor of the Zhangjiagang city administration, Ms. Weng, valued customers, and the management teams of the Bertschi Group and Bertschi China, the occasion underscored Bertschi’s global reach and commitment to serving the Chinese market.

Sign of Sustainable and Efficient Services for the Chemical Industry

With the operational launch of the Zhangjiagang Liquids Hub, Bertschi continues its tireless pursuit of robust, sustainable, and efficient supply chain services for the chemical industry. The advanced infrastructure, strategic location, commitment to safety and sustainability, and innovative technology of the hub make it a pioneer in chemical logistics, meeting the evolving needs of customers.

Photo: © Bertschi