Maasvlakte 2 opens

Hans Smits, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, said that the construction of this phase of Maasvlakte 2 has been completed according to schedule and well inside budget.

“This is typical of the Netherlands”, Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegenminister exclaimed as a fleet of 25 vessels, varying from classic three-masters to a modern container ship, became the first to sail officially via the Yangtzekanaal to Maasvlakte 2.

“Today we are clearing the way for international shipping and trade. That’s how we became big”, she said.

It’s certainly true that with Maasvlakte 2 is throwing the door wide open to the newest generation of container ships. The development has seen the port grow by 20%, container capacity has doubled and thousands of direct and indirect jobs are being created as a result.

Mr Smits said: “From today, Maasvlakte 2 is an integral part of the port area. The area is now accessible by road, rail and water. The construction of the two container terminals of RWG and APMT is on schedule. They will be operational at the end of next year, but there will be other activity in the short term as well.”

In the second half of this year, the Port Authority will place poles in the inland lake of Maasvlakte 2 for ship-to-ship transfer. There are also advanced plans for developing an industrial park for the bio-based chemical industry on the site next to Lyondell.