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Rotterdam port alerts on financial investment environment as throughput falls

Port authorities in Rotterdam, Europe's largest sea port, on Tuesday said industrial companies might take their investments in other places if the Dutch federal government failed to support them through the energy transition.

We are extremely anxious about the degrading financial investment environment and the competitive edge of industry in the Netherlands, port CEO Boudewijn Siemons stated.

The port of Rotterdam can play an important part in reaching nationwide and European environment goals. Companies need to understand where they stand, he added.

Siemons stated large investments were needed in the electricity grid, to permit a huge increase of wind and solar power, and in facilities around the port.

He likewise flagged the supply of trained specialists as a. point of terrific issue.

Elections in the Netherlands in November last year were won. by the nationalist PVV party, after a project dominated by. migration problems.

PVV leader Geert Wilders has actually since unsuccessfully attempted to. form a governing union which would intend to limit migration. and the influx of foreign employees to the Netherlands, while. taking a vital view on investments in climate policies.

In current weeks, the CEOs of ASML, Europe's largest. technology firm, and chemicals business DSM-Firmenich cautioned that. limiting labour migration might require them to invest outdoors. the Netherlands.

The port on Tuesday stated throughput fell by 6.1% in 2023 as. sluggish economic growth, sanctions versus Russia and tensions in. the Middle East hit worldwide trade.

Container freight at Rotterdam fell 7% while throughput of. dry bulk was down 12%, it said.

(source: Reuters)