The national government, the Province of South Holland, the municipality of Rotterdam, and the Port of Rotterdam Authority are launching a study through NOVEX to find solutions for the space shortage in the port and to improve the living environment in the region. This is necessary to accelerate the transition (energy, raw materials, and materials transition) of the port while ensuring a pleasant living and working environment.
The Port of Rotterdam faces a unique challenge in its history, where the focus is not on growth but on the ports transition. This transition is essential to achieve sustainability goals while simultaneously making an important contribution to the future earning capacity, supply security, and strategic autonomy of the Netherlands and Europe.
The port industrial complex is a crucial engine for economic development and plays a key role in the energy supply and strategic autonomy of the Netherlands and Europe. However, available space is becoming increasingly scarce. Although space is freed up due to the decline of fossil-based companies, previous studies show that this space, even with infill, will be insufficient. At the same time, the living environment in the region needs to be improved because it is currently less satisfactory than desired.
Therefore, the national government, the Province of South Holland, the municipality of Rotterdam, and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have decided to investigate the space shortage in the port. This exploration focuses both on solving the impending space shortage and improving the living environment in the Rotterdam region. We are investigating possible solutions to create space for the energy transition, such as the construction of green hydrogen plants, the import and storage of hydrogen (and hydrogen carriers), and the connection of offshore wind farms. Attention is also given to resilience and possibilities for Defense and military mobility, where creating more space also plays an important role.
The importance of the transition
The port transition is not only essential for sustainability but also for the future earning capacity and supply security of the Netherlands and Europe. The exploration examines three main approaches to address the space shortage:
1. Intensification and optimization of space use within the existing port, based on ‘careful space use’.
2. Redevelopment of industrial sites in the wider Rotterdam region.
3. Seaward expansion of the Maasvlakte.
Seaward expansion is not an end in itself and not a given, but one of the possible solutions we are investigating. The same applies to the redesign and redevelopment of existing industrial sites in the region. In the case of possible seaward expansion, ecological impact, the need for nature compensation, and effects on fisheries are taken into account. Relevant stakeholders will be involved.
Sustainability and living environment
Linking the ports space needs with improving the living environment underscores the necessity of a vital region and a strong metropolis. The ports transition can only succeed if the region as a whole continues to grow healthily and sustainably. Improving the living environment means not only more attention to nature and recreation but also to residents health.
Strategic and military significance
Besides the economic and ecological importance of the port, the Port of Rotterdam also plays an indispensable role in the strategic autonomy of the Netherlands and Europe. The port forms the basis for the storage and transit of strategic goods and provides the necessary infrastructure for military mobility. This makes the port of great importance for national and European security, and for NATO and Defense logistics.
Planning and next steps
The study is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Depending on the outcomes, the next steps in the process will be determined. The involved parties work closely together to conduct the exploration carefully and transparently and also involve relevant stakeholders.
The agreements are part of the Administrative Consultation Multi-Year Program Space, Infrastructure and Transport (BO MIRT) of January 5. During the BO MIRT, the national government and region also made other important agreements for our province, such as investments in infrastructure measures that contribute to faster realization of new homes, improvements to existing stations along the railway line between Leiden and Dordrecht, and improvements and flow of the road network in South Holland. All agreements can be found via this GS letter to PS.