The strategic value of the Port of Rotterdam for the international competitiveness of the Netherlands
A first exploration
By Frans A.J. Van Den Bosch, Rick Hollen, Henk Volberda, and Marc G. Baaij
Abstract
The strategic value of the Port of Rotterdam, in terms of economic and strategic importance, turns out to be greater than previously thought. The Port has considerable economic importance: €22 billion in added value, plus employment for 145,000 people. Its strategic importance was unknown so far; this research report puts it at a minimum of €6 billion. So the strategic value of the Port of Rotterdam is currently already 30% bigger than its economic importance and may well increase further.
The strategic importance results from the Port’s substantial contribution to the international competitiveness of companies operating in the Netherlands. In this way, the Port significantly contributes to the position of the Netherlands in the World Economic Forum top ten.
The strategic importance of the Port of Rotterdam has increased thanks to closer cooperation with Dutch ports such as Amsterdam, but also with foreign ports such as the Port of Sohar in Oman.
Renewal of management and the organisation is necessary and must lead to a less dominant role for technological innovation and investments in the physical infrastructure. The Port of Rotterdam needs to place much greater emphasis on “social innovation”: new management and organisational structures aimed at bringing about innovation in the port-based companies themselves and in infrastructure.
