Rotterdam willing to co-operate with Zeeland on container handling development
The Port of Rotterdam Authority has endorsed the conclusions of the report by Messrs Van der Hek and Van den Driest on the future of co-operation between the ports of Rotterdam and Zeeland.The Van der Hek-Van den Driest report concludes that co-operation during the past ten years has not produced the expected results, due to differences in involvement, management, scope and objectives between Zeeland Seaports and the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
However, the report does identify excellent opportunities for the joint development of container handling in Vlissingen, initially in the existing port and later at the Westerschelde Container Terminal (WCT) – a planned deepsea terminal with a 2km long quay wall.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO Hans Smits said that it is in the interests of the Port of Rotterdam Authority to remain involved in developments in Zeeland. “If Zeeland and Rotterdam can exploit the port of Vlissingen to the full, we can achieve a unique position for the Netherlands in the container market along the Schelde estuary.”
The Port Authority favours reviving co-operation in ESM (Exploitationcompany Schelde - Maas, a 50:50 joint venture between Zeeland Seaports and Port of Rotterdam Authority to develop the as yet unused port area in the port of Flushing) for all container activity, not just for the WCT. The port of Vlissingen already presents good opportunities for developing terminals for large container vessels. This means that developments can be responded to quickly, the timing will allow opportunities and risks to be properly weighed up against each other, and the container sector in Vlissingen can develop in a more balanced way.
The Port Authority also believes that the WCT should be put out to tender in order to select the stevedoring company with the best operational plan, in much the same way as is currently being done for a container terminal at Maasvlakte 2. Continuing ESM with only the WCT, within the preconditions as also formulated by Van den Driest-Van der Hek, is, in the Port Authority’s view, not a very realistic option.
Smits said that a decision about continued co-operation between Zeeland Seaports and the Port of Rotterdam Authority rests with Zeeland, adding that if Zeeland is also in favour of further co-operation, the Port of Rotterdam Authority could accept a role as a minority shareholder if desired.