The Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management and the Port of Rotterdam Authority announced the completion of the deepening of the Nieuwe Waterweg and Botlek. This is one of the busiest waterways in the Netherlands, and has now been deepened by a metre and a half across a distance of 25 kilometres.
Now, the largest sea-going vessels with a depth of 15 metres can easily access Rotterdam port’s Botlek area. Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen, noted on the occasion:
Big, bigger, biggest. We’re talking here about the Aframax, Suezmax and Panamax, mammoth vessels that sail cheaper, more sustainably and safer. In the port sector, big is not only a matter of honour, but it’s also a condition for survival in today’s cut-throat competitive world. That is certainly true for the port of Rotterdam
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From his side, Ronald Paul, the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s Chief Operating Officer, said that the deepening is vital to increase the competitive position of businesses in this area, while the Port will also be investing in energy transition and digitisation.
The overall joint investment amounted to about €70 million. The dredging activities were conducted while Europe’s busiest port remained open for business.
More than 15,000 sea-going vessels navigate the Nieuwe Waterweg every year.
