Construction of Maasvlakte 2 – the expansion of the port of Rotterdam – has the go ahead to start in 2008.
In October the Dutch Parliament voted in favour of the construction of Maasvlakte 2, the new port and industrial zone of Rotterdam that is to be built right on the North Sea. This decision gives the green light to the next phase: in 2007 spatial planning and licensing procedures will be completed before actual construction gets underway in 2008. The first ship is expected to dock at the quayside in 2013.
This gives the Port of Rotterdam the opportunity to retain and expand its leading position in Europe. The development of Maasvlakte 2 is a sustainable and high quality land reclamation project of 2000 hectares (7.7 square miles). This represents an increase of 20%, in hectare terms, on the current port and industrial area and will deliver a much needed trebling of container handling capacity.
The new site gives companies a unique business development opportunity in the heart of the European market. Customisation and flexibility based on clients' individual requirements will be paramount when it comes to fleshing out the details of Maasvlakte 2 so companies setting up here will have an active say in the site layout. There will also be space for growth over the next 20 to 30 years and unlimited access for shipping. Companies will be expected to submit sustainable plans that take environmental factors such as air pollution and noise nuisance into account.
Rotterdam will continue to stand for first class shipping operations, safety and excellent hinterland connections. Businesses will further benefit from:
- Fast turnaround, 24 hours a day
With a depth of 20 metres, the largest container ships and chemical tankers will be able to reach their berths unhindered 24 hours a day. These guaranteed fast turnarounds represent significant cost savings for shipping companies.
- Hinterland access
Maasvlakte 2 will link seamlessly with the business clusters in the Rotterdam port and with the excellent connections to the rest of Europe - by rail, inland shipping, feeder and shortsea (allowing access to the inland waterways network), road and pipeline. Infrastructure investment is continual in order to keep Rotterdam ahead of the competition. A good example is the Betuwe freight railway that, from 2007, will connect Rotterdam directly to Germany.
You can find out more about the development of Maasvlakte 2 at www.maasvlakte2.com