As the global drive towards sustainability steps up in the wake of the Covid pandemic the port of Rotterdam, one of the largest breakbulk hubs in Europe, is preparing to move full steam ahead with new development as it navigates the changing demands for breakbulk handling in 2021.

Under the ports’ Bigger. Better. Breakbulk. campaign the port plans a number of initiatives to consolidate and extend its breakbulk capabilities and central to this is its work with partners to improve integration and handling capacity.

Twan Romeijn, Business Manager Breakbulk and Offshore Industry at Port of Rotterdam, explains: “Bigger. Better. Breakbulk. Is about maintaining a diverse portfolio and realising a stable and future-proof market environment. We are focused on developing the connection to the existing maritime and offshore cluster and ensuring high quality service companies are present in close proximity, from floating cranes and lashing companies to heavy-lift specialists and transport companies connecting Rotterdam worldwide.”

Bigger. Better. Breakbulk

A core part of the Bigger. Better. Breakbulk initiative, sustainability means more than the replacement of polluting fuels or a drive to energy efficiency as the port seeks to build greater resilience for the future by offering supply chain integration and flexibility. “The normal saying ‘check before fixing’ is not applicable to Rotterdam, since one can almost assume no difficulties in draft, congestion, strikes, etc. and port calls are usually uneventful,” Peter Herkemij, deputy director from Spliethoff adds.

This outlook is echoed by Bart-Luc Olde Hanter, manager business development of Rhenus: “Rotterdam is a complete port. Most other ports are outspoken container ports or bulk ports. Rotterdam has it all. A huge network of services both up and downstream to enable and speed up the energy transition. We also have to for it as the port has grown relying on the old economy and old economic model based on throughput. Throughput by definition is not sustainable and certainly not circular. Rotterdam understands this.”

“The port of Rotterdam has great connections to the rest of Europe and the world. Due to our unique geographical location, furthermore the port is easy reachable, no locks or any other obstacles, very well organised and is able to provide with all services which may be needed,” van Mike van der Pluijm (director RHB terminal) states.