Rotterdam plans new offshore terminal

The site is intended to support storage, transport, pre-assembly and delivery of turbine and foundation components, with the terminal expected to be operational by mid-2029.

“With this new terminal, we are making an important contribution to the necessary capacity for the offshore wind sector,” said Matthijs van Doorn, vice president commercial of the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

“Due to its direct location on the North Sea, deep draught and existing offshore cluster, the port of Rotterdam is ideally suited for these activities.”

The port authority will construct 835 metres of quay space capable of accommodating the latest generation of offshore wind installation vessels, including jack-ups. The quay will support pre-assembly work directly on the waterfront, while a RoRo facility is set to enable multiple transport modes.

As well as supporting the construction of new offshore wind farms, the terminal will be designed to handle decommissioning activities as older sites reach the end of their operational life.

Port officials say the development is intended to remove one of the bottlenecks currently slowing offshore wind expansion, namely limited port space that meets the heavy-duty requirements of large-scale turbine logistics. With the North Sea scheduled for extensive new wind build-out in the coming years, Rotterdam aims to position itself as a key hub by offering long-term, high-quality infrastructure tailored to industry needs.

Stakeholders are invited to take part in a consultation process, contributing ideas on the design, technical specifications and operational approach for the new terminal.