The Port of Rotterdam Authority in response to the Wennink Report: the recommendations must be considered in their entirety

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The investment climate in the Netherlands is under pressure. To secure the future earning capacity of our country, the outgoing Schoof cabinet asked Peter Wennink (former CEO of ASML) for independent advice at the beginning of September. This advice is aligned with Mario Draghi's report on European competitiveness. As with that report, it is crucial that Wennink's recommendations are taken up in full.

Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, contributed to the advice as part of the sounding board group: 'This report makes it clear that the Netherlands is at a tipping point. It is important that the report is taken forward in its entirety so that the Netherlands remains economically relevant in ten years' time. Maintaining our earning capacity requires economic growth that is not separate from sustainability, but rather intertwined with it. That means that fundamental choices must be made now.'

Wennink concludes that growth, innovation and prosperity in the Netherlands require 1.5% to 2% annual economic growth. To achieve this, the Netherlands must be able to mobilise approximately €151 to €187 billion in additional (mainly private) investments over the next ten years. In the Rotterdam industrial cluster, billions in investments are awaiting nature permits that cannot be issued because of the nitrogen 'lock'. Two-thirds of these investments would have contributed to the energy transition. The energy-intensive industry in the port has to compete on international markets and is struggling with higher energy costs compared to neighbouring countries. The lack of available electricity (connections) is also delaying the necessary transition efforts. The Port of Rotterdam Authority has partnered with Deltalinqs and network operators to work with the government to solve these problems in the short and medium term, with a tailor-made approach at cluster level.

Wennink identifies four key areas in which the Netherlands needs to become stronger: Digitalisation and AI; health and biotechnology; security and resilience; and energy and climate technology. Some recommendations focus specifically on the port of Rotterdam.

To make room for the development and sustainability of the port, expansion is important. The national forecast for space requirements for industrial clusters also shows that there will be a shortage of space towards 2030 and 2050 for the development and sustainability of the port and its industrial clusters. Expanding seaward could offer an opportunity to create suitable space for the integration of renewable energy and hydrogen production, and at the same time be well integrated into the existing energy system of the port of Rotterdam. Together with NOVEX partners (ministries, province, municipality), the Port Authority is exploring the possibilities of such a seaward expansion and how it can provide a positive impulse for the living environment.

Wennink's Report also mentions the development of an AI Gigafactory in Europoort Rotterdam to strengthen the digital sovereignty and economic resilience of the Netherlands and the European Union. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is freeing up capacity to research the effect of this plant on the current and future energy system in the port industrial cluster. In addition to these projects, Wennink mentions the realisation of small-scale, local generation based on small modular reactors (SMRs) in industrial clusters. They can contribute to energy security and reduce grid congestion. Wennink also highlights the importance of building up strategic stocks of critical raw materials, for which the port of Rotterdam has qualified storage facilities and the necessary expertise.