Splash247: Port of Rotterdam: Growth in throughput is no longer a goal in itself

Published by Splash247

Port of Rotterdam ceo Boudewijn Siemons says Europe’s largest port is still investing heavily in infrastructure and the energy transition, but warns that weak industrial investment, high energy costs and grid constraints tare causing headaches.

Rotterdam’s ambitions to remain Europe’s leading industrial and logistics hub are increasingly being tested by deteriorating conditions for companies considering where to deploy their next round of capital.

“We have concerns about the lagging investment in industry by the business community,” the port’s head, Boudewijn Siemons, tells Splash Ports, pointing to a series of chemical plant closure announcements over the past year and the suspension of investment in a number of new and ongoing projects, particularly around renewable fuels.

The Dutch government has taken steps to improve industrial competitiveness, including scrapping the plastic levy, reinstating indirect ETS cost compensation and suspending the Dutch CO2 levy on top of the European emissions trading system.

Siemons says those measures are positive, but not enough.

Major problems remain around nitrogen restrictions, congestion on the electricity grid, high energy prices and Dutch grid tariffs that are above those in neighbouring countries. Competition from countries including China is adding further pressure.

The challenge comes as Rotterdam attempts to position itself around three core pillars: industry, energy and logistics.

“Growth in throughput is no longer a goal in itself,” Siemons says.

Instead, the port authority wants to maximise the wider economic and strategic value generated within its existing footprint. Rotterdam expects container volumes to continue increasing over coming decades, partly on population and consumption growth, but Siemons says this must be accommodated through more efficient, sustainable and data-driven operations.

Rotterdam is continuing to put substantial money behind that strategy. The port authority reinvests between €275m and €325m annually, with gross investment reaching €291.4m in 2025.

Recent projects include the Porthos carbon capture and storage development, new shore power facilities and work with grid operators on electricity congestion. Air Liquide and Shell are also developing major green hydrogen projects in the port.

On the logistics side, construction has started on a new railway yard at Maasvlakte 2, while the Yangtzekanaal is being widened. Rotterdam is also examining the possibility of expanding the port seaward.

Siemons stresses that Rotterdam plans much further ahead than the next five years.

“By 2050, Rotterdam will be the most competitive, sustainable and resilient port in Europe,” he asserts, describing public-private cooperation and an attractive investment climate as essential to reaching that target.

Recent geopolitical shocks have only reinforced the need for resilience. Siemons points to the pandemic, sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, disruption in the Red Sea and, most recently, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Each crisis has forced supply chains to adapt.

Under those conditions, he argues, Rotterdam’s role extends well beyond cargo handling.

“A well-functioning port is essential to the prosperity, economic development and strategic relevance of the Netherlands and Europe,” Siemons says.