The Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, has signed a global partnership deal with TOC Worldwide Events to promote dialogue and information sharing along international maritime supply chains.
The two partners said that the new agreement reflects a mutual commitment to foster greater discussion and co-operation across international supply chains, at a time when the global freight transport industry is facing new and unseen challenges.
Rotterdam, as the key global junction for goods flow and Europe’s largest maritime logistics and industrial hub, is the perfect partner to do so – handling around 450 million tonnes of cargo annually, including nearly 12 million TEU of container traffic, to over 350 million European consumers.
Furthermore, the Port of Rotterdam is currently overseeing a major investment and innovation programme aimed at further cementing itself as a European and global hub for containers, fuel and energy.
This includes the development of a new generation container port infrastructure at the well-anticipated Maasvlakte 2 site, alongside a growing range of projects to promote better hinterland connectivity and cargo flows.
There is also heavy investment into new sustainable energy generation and power management for the whole port community.
“Both at the port and in the hinterland, co-operation in the supply chain is key to success,” said Joyce Bliek, director of containers and breakbulk at Port of Rotterdam.
“Chain-wide solutions are needed to foster the new efficiencies needed to cope with the scale of current and future cargo flows.”
“One of our key roles as a port authority is to bring the different parties together to effect positive change,” continued Ms Bliek.
“Rotterdam has a long and rich history of exploring new frontiers and pursuing innovation, involving thousands of different companies and partners around the globe.
“We believe that sharing information leads to new perspectives and a change of perspective leads to new results and progress. Combining diverse views and knowledge to stimulate fresh thinking is what TOC is all about and Rotterdam is pleased to join the conversation as global port partner.”
Since its humble beginnings in 1976, TOC has managed to rapidly grow as the leading event on the maritime calendar; from what was initially a single European held event to four annual global events.
This includes TOC Asia, hosted this month in Singapore, the widely anticipated TOC Europe in London this June, TOC Americas, to be hosted at Cartagena in October, and the new TOC West Africa Market Briefing being held in Tenerife this December.
Paul Holloway, TOC event director said that TOC’s role is “to provide meeting hubs where all the supply chain stakeholders can gather to learn, debate and network.”
“We have a long-standing relationship with Port of Rotterdam, which has hosted TOC Europe a number of times, including our biggest event ever in 2013, as well as taking part with speakers and delegates around the world.”
“It became clear to us both that we share a common ethos of promoting communication and collaboration along the supply chain. Port of Rotterdam is a true champion of connectivity and we are proud to welcome them as our global port partner.”