Rotterdam Port aims for sustainability, eyes closer China ties

Stelzel expressed strong interest in strengthening ties with China's logistics and energy sectors.

THE HAGUE, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Hanna Stelzel, director of containers at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the Netherlands, has reaffirmed the port's ambition to become the world's most sustainable port by 2050 and highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation with China in green shipping and energy transition initiatives.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Stelzel emphasized that the Port of Rotterdam is undergoing a profound transformation in response to global shifts.

"Just like in other ports, we're in the midst of the biggest transitions in decades -- geopolitical transitions and social cultural transitions, technological transitions," she noted.

Recognizing the evolving role of ports, she said: "In the future and probably already today, our performance will no longer be measured by volume profitability or share price only, but by the impact that we create for our societies."

To support its 2050 carbon neutrality goal, the Port of Rotterdam is investing in key green infrastructure projects. These include facilities for green hydrogen supply, offshore wind parks, electrolyzers, and carbon capture and storage installations in the North Sea.

Beyond energy infrastructure, Stelzel emphasized that the port is also accelerating efforts in sustainable shipping.

"We are focusing on green and smart shipping as well. We are currently working on the necessary facilities. You already have them in China on a larger scale. Think about shore power for different types of vessels," she said.

She further noted the development of bunker facilities for sustainable fuels and preparations for the electrification of inland barges.

However, she also acknowledged the scale of the challenge. "Although regulations and laws and a level playing field remain important preconditions for the transition, we also require more knowledge and greater innovative capacity to accelerate the transition. And this requires a wide range of efforts from every organization in the industry, many of which are by no means inconsiderable."

"It is a complex challenge … that we can only overcome and win by joining our forces," she said. "Our goal in Rotterdam is to become the most sustainable port in the world."

Stelzel expressed strong interest in strengthening ties with China's logistics and energy sectors. "Sustaining the pivotal connection with the Port Authority and the logistics and energy sector in China remains a priority for us at Port of Rotterdam Authority in this journey, and our focus is on intensifying cooperation towards ambitious decarbonization initiatives within the shipping sector."

She called for deeper international collaboration, saying, "This involves fostering collaboration in sharing insights and coordinating efforts within existing green shipping corridors and exploring new avenues for joint endeavors in the region."

"Together, we can address the collective challenges faced by the industry and take proactive measures to address them," she said.

She underscored the broader mission of the port's sustainability efforts: "Together, we can create value throughout the whole supply chain, not just for our shareholders, but for our customers, for partners and suppliers and the world at large."

The director concluded by expressing her hope to host more Chinese partners in the Port of Rotterdam in the near future. ■