New Rotterdam docks change Dutch coastline
The Rotterdam Port Authority expects the first ship will unload its cargo along a quayside of the new Maasvlakte 2 docks in a year and a half, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports.
The Maasvlakte 2 project is an extension of the port of Rotterdam, which will see the construction of a new port and supporting infrastructure on about 2,000 hectares of reclaimed land adjoining the Maasvlakte, an earlier extension of the Netherlands' biggest port.
The first ships to dock at Maasvlakte will bring the material needed to complete the terminals. APM Terminals and Rotterdam World Gateway are scheduled to start the first phase of construction soon.
Upon completion APM Terminals will have 1.000 metres of quayside at its disposal for ocean-going vessels as well as 500 metres for inland shipping. RWG will have 1,150 metres and 500 metres respectively.
Queen Beatrix will on 11 July give the official starting signal for the closure of the seawall of Maasvlakte 2. The operation will permanently change the outline of the Netherlands. The Rotterdam port will increase 20 percent in size and the Dutch coastline will move about 3.5 kilometres further out into the North Sea.
Maasvlakte 2 will include 1,000 hectares for port-related industries. Euromax , a subsidiary of Europe Container Terminals has an option on 400 hectares. A Rotterdam Port Authority spokesperson said “The remaining 600 hectares will be partly made ready, but only fully completed when we know what companies will be located there.”