Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) has celebrated the official opening of its highly innovative and automated new container terminal at Maasvlakte 2.
The Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, opened the terminal together with Managing Director of RWG, Rob van Dijk.
In addition to the spectacular show, the program featured guest speakers like Ronald Lugthart, Chairman of the RWG Board of Directors, Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of joint shareholder DP World.
Mayor Aboutaleb about the new container terminal in the port of Rotterdam said: “ If we as a global port have the ambition to remain a world player, we need outstanding companies that are ready for the future. RWG is such an organization.”
“ Our terminal, with its fully automated cranes, is run by a team of no more than 10 to 15 people on a day-to-day basis ”, said Managing Director Ronald Lugthart . “ RWG employs 180 people. Most of our employees are IT specialists. It is a completely new way in container operations. We are, in fact, an IT company that handles containers: a container terminal 3.0. With this, RWG wants to set an example for the world.”
The high level of automation at the terminal brings benefits for RWG when it comes to safety and sustainability. These are two areas in which RWG is leading the way. Innovative concepts result in shorter distances for internal transport and less equipment on the terminal. With fully electric cranes which are powered by 100% green energy RWG is setting new standards in the industry.
Maasvlakte 2 is the extension of the port of Rotterdam with a new 700 ha deep-sea port created in the North Sea at -17 m depth. Construction started in 2008 with a land reclamation of around 2,000 hectares. The reclamation project was concluded in 2013. With a depth of 20m, the port is accessible for deep-draught container vessels, handling the first two new container terminals of Rotterdam World Gateway Container Terminals and APM Terminals.