A new terminal covering approximately 15 hectares is planned for construction in the northwest corner of Maasvlakte 2 in the Port of Rotterdam for the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The facility will be part of the National Defence Space Programme and will be used for the transhipment and transit of military cargo, including equipment and ammunition. The decision to select Maasvlakte 2 as a priority location was made by the Dutch government on December 19 as part of the approval of key sites for the expansion of the country’s defence infrastructure.
The project is necessary due to deteriorating global security and the buildup of the Netherlands’ defence potential, which requires additional logistics capacity. For the Port of Rotterdam, the key factor was the Ministry of Defence’s need for guaranteed terminal capacity to handle ships carrying military cargo. Under NATO agreements, such cargo can be shipped and received through the Netherlands, even if the final destination is outside the country, and then transported by road, rail, and inland waterway. To this end, a rail connection is planned for the new terminal, but no ammunition storage is planned on the site.
In addition to the terminal, the Ministry of Defense intends to use Maasvlakte 2 beach for amphibious exercises aimed at practicing the landing of personnel and equipment. Similar exercises are planned at a total of four sites across the country. The Port of Rotterdam Authority supports the government’s plans and is participating in the preparation and implementation of the project. Construction of the berthing infrastructure, rail connection, and associated facilities is estimated to take several years.