Van AalstTelestackTBA GroupCimbriaSailors SocietyVigan
  • Telestack
  • Bühler GmbH
  • TMS Awards 2023
  • Cimbria
  • Port of Stockton
  • Vigan

Port of Rotterdam presents future scenarios for 2050

Port of Rotterdam presents future scenarios for 2050

(Posted on 06/10/22)

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has developed four diverse global scenarios in detail to increase understanding of what the future might look like, so that the Port Authority can respond accordingly. What investments are needed to attract new freight flows, business and clean energy? Where should adjustments be made?

Central to these analyses was the issue of how changes in geopolitics, economics, society and technology would impact the port-industrial complex and the size and composition of the port's throughput. Will there be a global focus on ambitious climate action or will the energy transition stall? Will power blocks erect trade barriers to protect their own industries or will free trade be allowed to flourish? Do consumers prefer quality over price or the exact opposite?

The four scenarios towards 2050 and their corresponding concise story lines are:

Connected Deep Green: Effective global cooperation with acceleration on digital transparency in logistics chains and global commitment to targets to combat climate change, resulting in global carbon neutrality by 2050, broad prosperity and high economic growth and a maximum temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celcius this century.

Regional Well-Being: From a shared commitment to transition, in the absence of sufficient global trust, a tilt towards a regional focus on clean and healthy environments, privacy and well-being emerges within clusters of countries by early 2030. This results in a deteriorating business environment for basic industry in Northwestern Europe and moderate economic growth.

Protective Markets: A world with distrust between power blocks, global geopolitical tensions and suboptimal integration in logistics chains. There are competing economic interests in a fragmented world with focus on self-sufficiency, financial prosperity, resilience and defence. No global carbon neutrality before 2100 and low economic growth.

Wake-Up Call: Increasing concerns about the economic impact of external shocks such as food and energy availability or extreme weather mark a turning point. There is growing awareness that strategic cooperation and rigorous measures are needed to reduce carbon emissions. This results in strategically strong EU policies, moderate economic growth and late but rapid transition to renewable energy.

The impact of each scenario has on throughput in the port of Rotterdam is summarised in the infographic below:

Allard Castelein, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority: "These latest estimates show that our portfolio will radically change in the next 30 years. The global scenarios help us to strengthen the position of the port-industrial complex in a targeted manner by focusing on sufficient production and processing capacity, good connectivity with key hinterland markets and accelerating sustainability."

Latest News

NSBT celebrates launch of new third berth in Freetown

(Posted on 22/04/25)

Nectar Sierra Leone Bulk Terminal (NSBT) is celebrating the operational launch of a new third berth... Read more


Greenhouse gas emissions in port of Rotterdam down by 8%

(Posted on 17/04/25)

Greenhouse gas emissions at companies in the port decreased by 1.7 Mton (8%) in 2024 compared to 2023... Read more


Raw materials delivered to British Steel through Immingham

(Posted on 15/04/25)

Following the UK government’s passing of an emergency law to take control of British Steel, vital... Read more


Rotterdam takes important step in making shipping more sustainable

(Posted on 15/04/25)

Trammo, OCI and James Fisher Fendercare have successfully conducted an ammonia bunkering pilot between... Read more


Bulgarian port’s first order for new Konecranes Gottwald MHCs

(Posted on 03/04/25)

BMF Port Burgas AD (BMF), one of Bulgaria’s largest port operators, has ordered two Generation... Read more


Another year of record revenue and profit for AD Ports

(Posted on 03/04/25)

Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group a leading global enabler of trade, transport, industry, and logistics... Read more


Euroports secures long-term future in Venice with 25-year deal

(Posted on 31/03/25)

Euroports has announced the renewal of the concession for Terminal Rinfuse Venezia (TRV) at Porto Marghera... Read more


Panama Canal promotes sustainable maritime shipping with NetZero Slot

(Posted on 27/03/25)

Contributing to the commitment of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the Panama Canal authority has... Read more


Saguenay Port brings electric-driven Konecranes Gottwald MHC to Canada

(Posted on 27/03/25)

The Saguenay Port Authority in Quebec has ordered a Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6B Mobile Harbor Crane for... Read more


Cas König joins North Sea Port as new CEO

(Posted on 18/03/25)

North Sea Port Supervisory Body has appointed Cas König as the port authority's new CEO. Kö... Read more


Port of South LouisianaGeneva DryTMS Awards 2023Bühler GmbHPort of Stockton
  • Geneva Dry
  • TBA Group
  • Sailors Society
  • Port of South Louisiana

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping