Many people outside the port still do not know enough about what the port does and why it is so important. That is why each chapter of the Port Vision begins with the added social value of the theme in question, such as the role of industry in everyday products. “We want to make the vision relevant to a broad audience, including everyone who has influence on or makes decisions about the port,” says Dalhuisen. “So that people are more aware of the influence they have and look at the port from a realistic perspective.”

The implementation of the Port Vision is taking shape through existing plans and structures, including the NOVEX initiative and the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s corporate strategy. In addition, Dalhuisen invites everyone to use the vision as a guide for their own strategic choices. “Only through joint efforts within the port ecosystem can the vision of the future become reality.”

Despite the deterioration in the investment climate, the new Port Vision expresses confidence in Rotterdam’s future as a preferred location for industrial production companies. Dalhuisen: “We have the infrastructure, companies, knowledge and a strategic location near offshore wind farms with sufficient depth and an excellent logistics network. Many existing companies want to continue producing in Europe and this is important for our strategic autonomy. We must ensure that Rotterdam also becomes attractive to new companies. We will have to work very hard on this because there are many circumstances and preconditions that make it difficult for us. Acute problems regarding nitrogen, grid congestion and high energy costs are putting pressure on businesses and causing investment to shift abroad. To guard against this, better infrastructure, a more favourable investment climate and confidence within the port ecosystem are needed. The authorities play a crucial role in this by shaping regulations in such a way that companies can remain competitive. Rotterdam must not give away the gold in its hands.”

The quality of the living environment will have further improved by 2050 due to factors including better air quality, more nature, improved biodiversity and green recreational areas. The number of homes in the region will have increased.

By 2050, logistics will be smart and clean. Cargo, transport modes and infrastructure will be digitally connected and communicate via sensors. Algorithms will continuously determine the most efficient transport routes. Existing modes of transport will become more sustainable and be supplemented with new forms of (driverless) transport, such as drones.

Rotterdam’s industry must be climate neutral by 2050, with the port becoming a hub for circular raw materials and semi-finished products. At the same time, the industry must remain competitive to prevent companies from leaving and to safeguard the strategic autonomy of the Netherlands and Europe. According to Dalhuisen, this directly affects the energy transition. “Our port has traditionally had a strong position in fuels and chemicals and will continue to fulfil that role by using knowledge and existing assets for more sustainable products. However, additional space is also needed for industry. As a result, within the Port of Rotterdam NOVEX (‘National Environmental Vision Execution’) zone, the focus is on achieving the best possible use of the available space, better use of the current port sites, seaward expansion and a better distribution of industrial activities between the port itself and the surrounding industrial sites.”

The issue of the labour market in relation to the port is no longer about job growth, but rather what jobs in the port will look like. “Rotterdam is expected to retain the same share of the Dutch working population. Due to automation, we will see a shift towards less repetitive, creative and knowledge-intensive work. There is still a lot that can be automated, especially in logistics. This development has already begun and is necessary because the number of available workers is limited.” Accessibility is also receiving attention: new transport concepts should make the port more accessible for employees.

From left to right: Victor van der Chijs (Deltalinqs), Maaike Dalhuisen (Port of Rotterdam Authority), Arne Weverling (Province of Zuid-Holland), Vincent Karremans (Minister of Economic Affairs), Robert Simons (Municipality of Rotterdam), Boudewijn Siemons (CEO Port of Rotterdam Authority).

The new Port Vision is structured around five themes, with ‘resilience and agility’ being a new area of focus. This was prompted by threats such as cyber and drug crime and mounting geopolitical tensions. “To ensure supply security, we want to expand our strong network to other regions so that we are less dependent on a limited number of countries for imports,” Dalhuisen explains. “Energy security is also crucial due to our own consumption in the port and our role in onward transit: approximately 13 percent of all energy enters Europe through Rotterdam. This underlines how important the port is, not only for Rotterdam and the region, but also for northwestern Europe.”