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Development of Dordrecht Inland Seaport’s port area

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has borne responsibility for the operation and development of Dordrecht’s port area since 2013. To exploit the full potential of this 290-ha-large port area and the neighbouring industrial estate, the Port Authority is working closely together with the Municipality of Dordrecht and local companies. The past few years, Dordrecht Inland Seaport has developed into a highly attractive port for maritime manufacturing, logistics and bulk handling. In the period 2013-2017, throughput in the area rose by more than 1 million tonnes to a total of over 3.7 million tonnes.

The public space in the port area has been rejuvenated and upgraded. In addition, the number of businesses established in the port has increased and existing firms have made substantial investments in the area. Local green areas, parking facilities and traffic infrastructure have been improved and Dordrecht’s port basins have been dredged to a greater depth. Moreover, the partners have entered into a covenant with BOA Rotterdam and Stadsbeheer Dordrecht to improve enforcement of local regulations and public transport connections with Dordrecht Central Station have been substantially improved. The port area has also gained two new business investment zones, BIZ Louterbloemen and BIZ Krabbepolder. Their members have taken a number of collective measures to improve safety in the port area. These combined improvements have significantly strengthened the local business climate.

Map Cluster and companies Dordrecht Inland Seaport

The most landward sea port in the Netherlands

The port of Dordrecht is the most landward sea port in the Netherlands. Thanks to its unique situation – in combination with a water depth of 9.45 metres – Dordrecht’s port area is easily accessed by sea-going and inland vessels alike. Moreover, the area has good road and freight rail connections. This combination of factors makes the area exceptionally suited for port-related business activities like the handling of bulk cargo, logistics services and maritime manufacturing. The present revitalisation and upgrading activities are focused on optimising the port area’s appeal as a business location. The Port of Rotterdam Authority will specifically focus on strengthening Dordrecht’s maritime cluster.

Read the Dordrecht Inland Seaport brochure

Development vision

As the party responsible for operating Dordrecht Inland Seaport, the Port of Rotterdam Authority has drawn up a long-term vision for the area. Besides the expansion of port-related activities in the area, this vision pays special attention to the encouragement of private investments, sustainable developments and strengthening the regional employment market. Over the next few years, the Port Authority will focus on optimising the local business climate, building up a clean energy cluster and further developing the area’s social infrastructure. The underlying objective is to visibly and successfully develop Dordrecht Inland Seaport into a vital and sustainable sea port area that forms an attractive business location for port-related companies and a pleasant environment for the local workforce. To this end, the Port Authority will be making a targeted investment in the following activities:

  • Strengthen the area’s existing port-related and sea port-related business activity;
  • Raise productivity at the terminals and make optimum use of the available space;
  • Where required, relocate non-port-related business activity to industrial sites in the vicinity of the port – the Dordtse Kil estates, for example;
  • Expand the port’s portfolio with a clear focus on the handling of dry bulk, liquid bulk and breakbulk, logistics and distribution and maritime manufacturing;
  • Improve the area’s visual quality by investing in public space, including public green space and local infrastructure;
  • Strengthen the port area’s relationship with nearby sites in the Westelijke Dordtse Oever (WDO) area and in the city of Dordrecht by improving accessibility, among other measures;
  • Determine the feasibility of the joint development of a Clean Energy Hub on Duivelseiland in partnership with the private sector.

Rejuvenation of the Louterbloemen estate

One element in the development vision formulated for the port of Dordrecht is the redevelopment and upgrading of the Louterbloemen industrial site. This estate, which was developed in the 1960s, presently accommodates some 70 businesses. The Municipality of Dordrecht and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have jointly invested some EUR 4 million in Louterbloemen’s ‘makeover’, which among other things has involved a redevelopment of the estate’s public space. In addition, the partners have entered into a covenant with BOA Rotterdam and Stadsbeheer Dordrecht to improve the enforcement of existing regulations.

Room for business

Over the next few years, the partners will focus on increasing productivity at the terminals and taking optimal advantage of the available space. The Port of Rotterdam Authority also wants to create new room to grow for existing companies. Plans also outline a further optimisation of Wilhelminahaven, including new berths for inland vessels and a barge section. This will allow Dordrecht to develop into a true hotspot for bulk handling, maritime manufacturing and providers of logistics services.

Optimisation Wilhelminahaven

The Port Authority will focus on making Dordrecht Inland Seaport a complete, dynamic and future proof port. One that can satisfy the growing demand for bulk handling capacity and waterfront sites. A port that takes optimal and efficient advantage of the available space. Where safety is the number one priority – for all users.

To meet growing demand and ensure that the port is future-proof, plans for the coming period also include the further optimisation of the Wilhelminahaven basin. The Port of Rotterdam Authority will be investing over EUR 3.5 million in the replacement of mooring buoys, the renovation of the jetties and dolphins and a section for push barges. Together, these projects will increase handling capacity, take optimal advantage of the available nautical space and improve safety conditions for all users.

Read the factsheet Optimisation Wilhelminahaven
Artist Impression Wilhelminahaven Dordrecht Inland Seaport

Clean Energy Hub research project

The Port of Rotterdam Authority plans to work together with the private sector to develop Duivelseiland into a strong and clean energy cluster. This cluster will be geared towards the storage, distribution, production/generation and bunkering/refuelling of clean energy. The development of a dedicated Clean Energy Hub on Duivelseiland is in line with the Port Authority’s policy as manager of the largest port in Europe to play a pioneering role in the European energy transition. In addition, the cluster will contribute to a more sustainable supply chain for companies that are involved in logistics.
With the recent signing of a letter of intent regarding the realisation of a multi-fuel bunkering station, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and PitPoint.LNG have set the first steps towards the development of a strong and clean energy cluster. The Port of Rotterdam Authority has invited private sector stakeholders in the ‘clean industry’ chain (involved in generation, conversion, storage, bunkering, servicing and distribution) to think along about how to best give shape to the Clean Energy Hub concept.

HAVE WE SPARKED YOUR INTEREST? READ ON
Artist impression clean energy hub havenontwikkeling Dordrecht Inland Seaport

Currently available: lot and buildings

There is still one lot available for long lease at Dordrecht Inland Seaport. This lot on Kilkade 7 is free for further development in consultation with potential leaseholders. In addition, a number of different buildings and halls are available for lease or sale in the port area.

READ ON ABOUT LOCATIONS AT DORDRECHT INLAND SEAPORT

Contact

Would you like to know more about the on-going redevelopment of Dordrecht Inland Seaport?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with:

Cees Pons
Manager Port Planning
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