As Europe\u2019s largest hub for short sea shipping, and Europe\u2019s largest port, respectively, the Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals (RST) and the Port of Rotterdam can make an unarguable case as the ideal hosts for the 2027 Coastlink Conference.<\/p>\n
That said, the Port of Rotterdam has recently doubled down on its claim following a tripartite government Port Summit in Belgium earlier this month.<\/p>\n
The prime ministers and ministers of Flanders, the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia came together in Meise on 5 October, where they met with the port CEOs within the \u2018Antwerp-Rotterdam-Rhine-Ruhr Area\u2019 (ARRRA) to discuss strengthening the region\u2019s competitiveness.<\/p>\n
The ARRRA cluster includes Duisport, North Sea Port, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Port of Cologne\/HGK, Port of Moerdijk, Port of Oostende and the Port of Rotterdam.<\/p>\n
It plays a crucial role in Europe\u2019s economy and energy supply, and in ensuring its strategic autonomy. Together, the ports generate around \u20ac65 bn in added value and support nearly 600,000 jobs.<\/p>\n
In response to the geopolitical and economic challenges currently facing Europe, the various Summit parties agreed to work together to ensure a future-proof ARRRA cluster.<\/p>\n
They set out four priorities: stronger circular value chains and a cross-border market for raw materials; accelerated expansion of energy infrastructure for CO2<\/sub> and hydrogen; strengthened cooperation on strategic water management and the sustainability of inland navigation; and the use of cross-border corridors, such as Antwerp\u2013Rotterdam, to implement automated freight transport by road and water, and greater use of drones.<\/p>\n With clear implications for ARRRA, and indeed across Europe more generally, the summit will no doubt feature at the 25th<\/sup> Coastlink Conference in Rotterdam from 14-15 April next year.<\/p>\n