The Port of Rotterdam Authority has announced that the new berths for inland shipping at Maashaven have gone into operation, making it the leading inland shipping hub in the Netherlands.
The Port Authority said a total of 13 pontoons have been added along the north and south ends of the eastern basin, expand Maashaven’s existing capacity by dozens of berths.
The pontoons are part of the large-scale redevelopment of Maashaven first announced four years ago.
Project manager Jannet de Bruijne-Bredius said the port was more “user-friendly” and would utilise shored-based power to cut emissions.
“The new pontoons are in line with our ambition to keep accommodating inland shipping in Rotterdam’s city centre,” Bruijne-Bredius said.
Each of the pontoons, which can move along with the tides, is held in place by two steel tubular piles. In addition, the units have been fitted with a tall staircase along their southern edge that allows crew members to safely disembark from the empty vessel.
The local shore-based power system at Maashaven has also been adapted. The basin will be receiving a larger number of ships, which increases the demand for electric power. The pontoons were constructed by DEME, with Endeburg realising the shore-based power facilities.
The Municipality’s ambition is to create a city park with trees, sunbathing lawns and height differences. The Port Authority has already rounded the underwater preparations for this project.
