Rotterdam Port Debate

Congestion and resilience in the port of the future

On Tuesday 2 December, the Rotterdam port sector will once again gather for the annual Rotterdam Port Debate, this time in the form of a breakfast session. Following the celebration of the 25th anniversary in 2024, this year we look ahead to the major challenges that determine the function and future of the port.

This year’s theme is: congestion.
How do we keep the Port of Rotterdam resilient and competitive in a world where supply chains are under pressure, military mobility plays an increasingly large role, and the demand for capacity continues to rise? How do port parties jointly tackle congestion?

During the debate, influential executives, academics, policymakers, and young port talent will engage in a discussion about crucial issues:

• Hinterland and supply chain collaboration: deep-sea often gets priority, but how do we prevent inland shipping from getting stuck?
• The Third Maasvlakte: if we are allowed to develop this, what should it look like? Which choices will be decisive for the coming decades?
• Container logistics and transshipment: 70% of containers go to the hinterland, 30% remain on the quay. How do we organise this more intelligently?
• Military mobility: should logistics make way for defence, or can we find new forms of collaboration?
• Resilience and energy: what influence do strategic choices, such as the potential arrival of a nuclear reactor, have on the port of the future?