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Development Dutch seaports

To remain competitive, Dutch seaports must continue to develop. For instance, the ports must respond to global developments such as the transition to sustainable energy. However, there is little land available for such development. That is why port operators and companies must use the space currently available in port areas in a smart way. They must first find room for expansion within the existing port areas.

Improving port accessibility

Ports can only retain their competitive position if they are easily accessible. The government is ensuring that access to ports by sea, road, rail and waterways is maintained or improved in the following ways:

  • Deepening and maintaining the depth of maritime access channels such as the Eemsgeul, IJgeul, Maasgeul.
  • Constructing new sea locks in IJmuiden and Terneuzen.
  • Improving and maintaining transport links to the hinterland. For example, extending and widening the A15, the road used by vehicles travelling between Rotterdam and Germany.
  • Widening and maintaining the Betuwe Line, the freight rail line running between Rotterdam and Germany.
  • Rotterdam-East Transferium project. Lorries unload their containers at this transhipment site. After this, inland navigations vessels transport the cargos to the sea terminals at the port of Rotterdam. This means there is less heavy traffic on the roads in the Rotterdam area.

These examples are in line with the government's current hub port policy. To strengthen the Netherlands' international competitive position, the following should be closely linked:

  • Rotterdam hub port;
  • Brainport Eindhoven (a collaboration between thevknowledge-based industry and the manufacturing industry in Eindhoven and the surrounding area);
  • Greenports (companies and organisations active in the agricultural and horticultural sectors);
  • Amsterdam as a digital hub (a cluster of data centres, internet exchanges and international data connections in and around Amsterdam);
  • Urban areas.

Standards for safety, the environment and ecosystems

Port operators or companies that are expanding or undergoing change have to meet prevailing standards regarding, for example, the environment and the ecosystems in the area. The aim is to ensure economic growth while improving liveability in the areas surrounding seaports.