In the World Economic Forum’s 'Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016’, the Netherlands has been voted for having the best port infrastructure in the world, according to a release published by the Rotterdam Port Authority.
It is the fourth consecutive time that the Netherlands has come first. Singapore came second and the United Arab Emirates held on to third place. Belgium remained in sixth position and Germany fourteenth.
Rotterdam invests heavily in infrastructure. Good infrastructure is essential for the growth and development of a port. Billions are being spent on such things as expanding the railway network (the port railway/Betuwe Route) and increasing the capacity of the 45-kilometre-long motorway corridor between Maasvlakte and the hinterland.
(Source: APMT)
Other construction work includes fitting out and providing access to Maasvlakte 2, bridges, tunnels, quays, terminals, refining/chemicals and tank storage.
To read a technical paper of Rotterdam as a world port city, click here
The volume of investment in Dutch port infrastructure will remain high in the future as a result of investments in modernising the older port areas of Botlek, Waalhaven/Eemhaven, the Port of Dordrecht and deepening the Nieuwe Waterweg.
In addition, the Port Authority is assuming that the Theemsweg route will be tackled in the coming years and the Blankenburg Tunnel will be built.
(Source: APMT)
The port authority has recently announced that one of its oldest terminals, the ECT Home Terminal, has been closed because it cannot handle the largest containerships in the world.
However, the port authority has been applying a broader definition of infrastructure for some time. Examples include the accessibility and opening up of the port area with the use of Big Data.
Read about how Big Data can transform ports and terminals
By combining the various information flows, it is possible to keep on improving and expanding on services and infrastructure.