Dutch Port Strategy 2020-2030 launched

Powerful ports in a sustainable and digital economy

Despite the fact that the Dutch ports are in a good starting position, Minister van Nieuwenhuizen states that the obviousness is over because of the fundamental challenges facing the ports. To maintain and strengthen the economic value of the ports, it is important to respond adequately to the changes.

Perspective and ambition

From a public perspective, the Port Strategy outlines the frameworks and principles on the basis of which the ports can make a systemic leap towards a digital and sustainable port economy.

Ports will have to act jointly to achieve better (market) performance and greater efficiency, including in the supply profile of alternative fuels and responding to demand needs in sectors such as industry and mobility. Moreover, from a public perspective, port cooperation can contribute to efficient use of space and optimal utilization of infrastructural capacity. Greater cooperation is therefore a spearhead of the Port Strategy with the goal of an integrated system of cooperating port companies.

Dutch ports and their role in the circular economy

The ports see the circular economy as both a task and an opportunity. This aligns them with the Dutch government's goal of achieving a fully circular economy by 2050 and using 50% fewer primary raw materials by 2030. These ambitions have been endorsed in the Raw Materials Accord, which has also been signed by several ports. A variety of start-up, scale-up and other circular initiatives can be found in the ports.

In the transition to a circular economy, the Dutch ports can play an important role as a transit port of high-value products, location of high-value industry and companies, hub for forward effects in numerous places in the region, testing ground for new activity and as an ecosystem with interacting companies, knowledge institutions and public parties. Increased use of each other's raw materials and waste products is likely to lead to more local flows of goods.

More info >

Read the full Havennota 2020 - 2030 here.