The port of Rotterdam’s industrial cluster is also contributing directly to the suppression of the COVID-19 outbreak. Shell has made 2.5 million litres of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) available to DSM free of charge, which the chemical company can use to produce disinfectant hand gels for the healthcare sector.
Since IPA is an important feedstock for the pharmaceutical and medical industries, Shell’s immediate response to the outbreak was to substantially step up the production of isopropyl alcohol at its Pernis facility. 'The plant is currently running at full steam within the set safety norms. Besides increasing production volumes, we have also freed up production capacity at the Pernis plant. This capacity will primarily be used for the medical and pharmaceutical industries,' says Bianca Stip, communications adviser at Shell. IPA is also used for a range of other products, including e.g. coatings and detergents. 'We are asking clients that use IPA in other applications to put their orders on hold for the time being.'
Despite the far-reaching social impact of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), the port of Rotterdam will remain operational. Cargo handling and production will continue unabated. The Harbour Master Division is monitoring safety and public order on the water 24/7. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is carefully complying with the recommendations of national authorities in the field of health and safety, and we have taken steps to safeguard the continuity of business operations.
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