Transition to a biobased and circular Port of Rotterdam

The Port of Rotterdam area has many companies that use fossil resources and emit a lot of CO2 – but these companies also have a lot of knowledge about energy, energy-intensive production processes, and CO2 reduction. Therefore, the Port of Rotterdam Authority wants to develop the port into the place where the energy transition takes shape.
The Port of Rotterdam is in the midst of a transition from a linear to a circular port economy, from fossil to biobased and from a monoculture based on three isolated pillars to a diverse and networked industrial ecosystem. All three pillars at the heart of the port economy – container logistics, petrochemistry and maritime technology – are currently under pressure.

“The knife cuts both ways: we are fighting climate change while making sure that Rotterdam’s port and industrial complex will continue to be a strong contributor to Dutch prosperity and employment after 2050.”

— Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam

The traditional focus on volume growth, optimization and technological innovation does not suffice to overcome the challenges this time. Therefore, DRIFT supports the Port Authority in developing a shadow track to systematically experiment with radical innovations to strategically reorient towards a sustainable future.

Duration of the project

The project will run from 2015 until 2017
Client(s)/ Commissioning party
The port of Rotterdam authority
DRIFT Team
Roel van Raak, Rick Bosman