Activities
Sector
Industry & Manufacturing
Verbrugge International is a full-service logistics service provider with terminals in Vlissingen and Terneuzen, strategically located in the economic heart of Northwest Europe. The company serves a wide range of cargo flows (from bulk and containers to RoRo and project cargo) and acts as a gateway to Europe for international clients. Driven by the ambition to structurally expand its port infrastructure, Verbrugge investigated the realization of two new shipping quays in collaboration with a number of strategic partners.
The challenge
The realization of two permanent shipping quays is a capital-intensive decision that requires a solid financial foundation before partners and financiers can be involved. The challenge was twofold: the model had to be available within a short period for internal use and consultations with partners, while the financial parameters (occupancy rates, tariff structures, investment volumes, and operating costs) were not yet fully mapped out at the start. The model therefore had to be flexible enough to be adjusted during the decision-making process based on new insights.
Beyond the deal
In targeted consultations with the client, Maasdael jointly identified and quantified the required input parameters and KPIs. Based on this, we developed a customized cash flow model that calculates the complete project economics: from investment costs and financing structure to operational cash flows, payback periods, and return indicators. In doing so, we actively contributed to thinking about the economic parameters underlying an investment of this size.
The model was positively received by the management of Verbrugge. The client appreciated the compactness combined with completeness, and the flexibility with which assumptions can be easily adjusted. It enables Verbrugge to present the feasibility of the quay expansion in a well-founded manner to partners and financiers, and gives management the tools to make informed decisions in one of the most significant infrastructure projects in its recent history.
The value of sector knowledge
Large infrastructure investments in the logistics sector (port expansions, new transshipment facilities, terminal capacity) require a financial foundation that is both robust and adaptable. Rising cargo volumes and shifts in global trade routes make such investments urgent, but their complexity demands a model that evolves alongside the decision-making process. The combination of sector knowledge and financial modeling experience enabled us to quickly get to the core and deliver an instrument that retains its value throughout the entire process.