Maasvlakte near Rotterdam
Maasvlakte 2 (also known as Tweede Maasvlakte) is the name given to the expansion project of the Port of Rotterdam, located west of the (first) Maasvlakte. This new 2,000-hectare area reclaimed from the sea increased the size of the port by 20%. After completion of the expansion, the ports of Rotterdam will cover a total of 12,000 hectares. After years of planning, discussions and protests, construction began on 1 September 2008. On 22 May 2013, the Second Maasvlakte was officially put into use. The new port area was constructed in phases on behalf of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Maasvlakte 2 connects directly to the previously constructed Maasvlakte. Half of the total area, 1,000 hectares, is intended for port-related activities. The remaining space is needed for infrastructure (290 hectares), sea defences (230 hectares) and waterways/harbour basins (510 hectares). Maasvlakte 2 is primarily intended to facilitate chemical and container transhipment companies. The new ports have a draught of 20 metres, making them accessible to the latest generation of large container ships. The report 'Space use and space shortage in the port of Rotterdam' states that there may be a structural space shortage in the port of Rotterdam in 2050, for which a Third Maasvlakte could be the solution.
