Parties around the Port of Rotterdam have made key agreements about the development of the port, in balance with the region. This includes optimal space utilization, hydrogen applications, and the nitrogen problem. The Port of Rotterdam has everything to become the most sustainable and competitive port and industrial cluster in the world by 2050. The agreements made contribute to this South Holland ambition and are described in the implementation agenda (opens in a new window) published on April 3.
Arne Weverling, deputy for port and industry transition and administrative leader of NOVEX Port of Rotterdam (opens in a new window): Not making choices means that the future will be determined by other players. This is undesirable, as we have a unique and valuable port and industrial complex in Rotterdam. Therefore, we want to determine the direction of developments together with our NOVEX partners.
This is the first time such a broad coalition of organizations is working together on strategic spatial choices and accelerating projects in the region of the Port of Rotterdam. This is necessary because many different spatial and social tasks come together in the region. NOVEX partners each have their own decision-making authority, but they jointly establish strategic spatial choices and monitor coherence.
Main agreements from the implementation agenda
- NOVEX parties are investigating smarter space utilization in the existing port, regional business parks, and the effects of seaward expansion. The utility, necessity, and effects of these solution directions will be mapped out.
- NOVEX parties want to realize a green hydrogen market, in line with the cabinets vision. Ammonia as a hydrogen carrier offers opportunities but also threats due to safety. It has been agreed to establish clear frameworks on this in 2025.
- By 2028, terminals in and near urban areas will be equipped with shore power.
- In 2025, the NOVEX partners will come up with an action plan for reducing nitrogen emissions in the port and for protecting Natura 2000 areas within 25 kilometers of the port.
- The region has a significant challenge in housing construction, also for attracting and retaining employees for companies in the port. In 2025, it will be better mapped out how the necessary housing can be realized through customized solutions.
From implementation agenda to investment agenda
In early December 2023, the Dutch government, together with the province of South Holland, the municipality of Rotterdam, and the Port of Rotterdam, established an development perspective (opens in a new window) for the port. Now the step has been taken to the next phase with the publication of the Implementation Agenda 1.0 NOVEX Port of Rotterdam 2025-2050 (opens in a new window). The next step is to link financial resources to the joint goals, agreements, and projects. This investment agenda is expected later in 2025.
Partners program NOVEX Port of Rotterdam
The national Program NOVEX (National Spatial Vision Execution Power) is the basis for good cooperation between the various administrative layers on spatial planning. The Netherlands has 16 NOVEX areas, and for each area, a region-specific solution is proposed. NOVEX area Port of Rotterdam is one of those areas.
See also: www.novexrotterdamshaven.nl (opens in a new window).
In the NOVEX Port of Rotterdam program, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning, the Province of South Holland, the Municipality of Rotterdam, and the Port of Rotterdam work together as initiators.
They are also seeking cooperation with the municipality of Voorne aan Zee, the municipality of Nissewaard, the municipality of Albrandswaard, the municipality of Maassluis, the municipality of Vlaardingen, the municipality of Schiedam, the municipality of Dordrecht, DCMR Environmental Service Rijnmond, Water Board Hollandse Delta, Safety Region Rotterdam, GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Deltalinqs, Nature and Environment Federation South Holland, and the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague.