The Netherlands has the best port infrastructure in the world, according to the World Economic Forum in its 'Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013’, Dredging News Online reports.
The has Netherlands swapped positions with Singapore, which is now second. Hong Kong remains in third place.
The Netherlands leading position is largely thanks to the investment projects in Rotterdam between 2000 and 2011. Billions were and are being spent on the expansion of roads and railways, bridges, tunnels, quays, terminals, refineries and the chemical industry, tank storage, biofuels and energy.
In the years between now and 2015, the volume of investment will remain high and will total around €15 billion for the business sector alone, calculated from 2008.
The Dutch government is setting aside an additional €1.5 billion to improve and increase the capacity of the 45km motorway corridor from Maasvlakte to the hinterland.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority spends about €150 million a year on the maintenance and expansion. It is putting approximately €3 billion into the Maasvlakte 2 expansion project.
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