The North Sea Port Authority has unveiled its ‘Connect 2025’ strategic plan to shareholders as part of plans to build its position as a major European port.
In a statement, the Port Authority said it has set a clear objective by its shareholders to create a plan based on “economic development and employment, sustainability and climate”, as well as build a “solid financial foundation” to become a major European port.
To that end it has submitted a plan to shareholders aimed at developing business premises and infrastructure nautical services by improving relationships with private companies, public authorities and environmental groups.
Its key goals include investing in circular value chains, energy projects and climate, building strong logistics chains, future-proof infrastructure and a data community.
Additionally, it will look to increase collaboration with “connecting cooperation parties.
Over the next five years, the Port Authority will continue to perform its three core tasks, it said.
The provision of available business premises and port infrastructure is the first. The port authority also provides nautical services such as shipping assistance.
A third task is that of ‘conductor’, bringing everything together in the port area. Expanding and further fleshing out this role is the connecting thread in the strategic plan and one of the eight programmes for delivering it.
Daan Schalck, CEO North Sea Port, said, “As a top ten European port, North Sea Port faces considerable challenges and opportunities in terms of energy transition, the circular economy, climate, the logistics chain, port infrastructure and digitisation.
“The port authority is addressing those challenges and explicitly wants to be the linking factor, the connector.
“This strategic plan makes clear choices to achieve that, giving shareholders and local residents confidence in the direction taken by North Sea Port and providing assurance for the large investments made by companies.”