APM Terminals Maasvlakte II has officially commenced its expansion, marking a significant milestone in the development of one of the world’s most advanced box terminals.
In collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the CareGo consortium, this expansion will double the terminal’s capacity, making it the largest, most efficient, and most sustainable automated APM Terminals facility in Europe.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, commented: “Today we celebrate an important milestone in the 25-year cooperation between APM Terminals and the Port of Rotterdam Authority. APM Terminals has played and will continue to play an important role in the development of the container segment at the port of Rotterdam. Investments such as this are crucial to ensure that the port remains attractive as a business location and maintains its position as a reliable and resilient container hub in Northwest Europe. In times of geopolitical turmoil, this is vital for security of supply and employment in the Netherlands and Europe.”
The celebration, attended by representatives from APM Terminals, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, and CareGo, recognized the intensive planning, strong partnerships, and challenges overcome to reach this stage. In a symbolic ceremony, eight key stakeholders took part in the first ground movement by placing spades in the soil.
The expansion includes 510,000m² of additional container terminal space, 1,000 meters of deep-sea quay, truck and rail transfer zones, and the latest Automatic Terminal Trucks. With innovations such as emission-free Automated Guided Vehicles and a fully electrified, sustainable infrastructure, the terminal is being built to meet future demands.
The first phase of the expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.