Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG), the terminal operator backed by major shipping companies, is investing half a billion euros in further capacity expansion. A fourth berth is to be developed at the Maasvlakte 2 site.
The joint venture between the Arab DP World Group and the shipping lines CMA CGM, ONE and HMM has now officially confirmed that its container terminal at Maasvlakte 2, in Europe’s largest seaport, is to be expanded to include a fourth and final berth for the world’s largest container ships.
In this final phase of the major project, RWG aims to utilise the full quay capacity allocated by the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Investments will include five new quay cranes, eleven storage modules with 22 automated stacker cranes, and 24 automated guided vehicles (AGVs). In addition, RWG is continuing to assess the possible introduction of a BoxBay system for the storage of empty containers.
According to a statement, the terminal’s further development is specifically geared towards increased automation and sustainable operations. For example, RWG is increasing the charging capacity for electric vehicles and expanding office space and maintenance facilities. The capacity of the gate facilities and the storage areas for special cargo is also being expanded.
The total investment for this final phase amounts to around €500 million – partly financed by existing lenders – bringing the total investment in RWG’s development to approximately €2 billion.
The development of the fourth berth is taking place in stages at the existing terminal, in parallel with the expansion to include a third berth – announced back in 2023 – which RWG plans to bring into commercial operation in 2027. The company expects to be able to bring the additional capacity into commercial operation before 2030. Total storage capacity is then expected to amount to around 5 million TEU.
CEO Ronald Lugthart said: “This final phase marks a special moment in RWG’s development. What began as an ambitious project on the greenfield site of Maasvlakte 2 is now heading towards the terminal’s final stage of development, as originally conceived. In many ways, the story of RWG reads like an adventure novel: starting with the initial plans – when we were literally the ‘newcomers’ in Rotterdam – we have, together, created something that many could only dream of back then.”
