The Nature Vision is built around nine characteristic landscapes in and around the port, including the coastal landscape, dune landscape and tidal landscape

The Port of Rotterdam Authority is working towards a nature-inclusive port, where economic development goes hand in hand with the restoration and conservation of nature and biodiversity in the Rhine-Meuse Delta. The Port of Rotterdam Authority presents this vision for the future in a new Nature Vision for the period 2025 to 2050.

The Nature Vision was developed in collaboration with the Naturalis Biodiversity Center and aligns with the Port of Rotterdam Authority's ambition to become a net positive port: a port that ultimately makes a positive contribution to society and operates in complete harmony with its surroundings.

The quality of nature is under increasing pressure worldwide, including in the Netherlands. The Port of Rotterdam Authority aims to contribute to the challenge of biodiversity restoration by making better use of the port and its surroundings for nature and biodiversity.

Nature and biodiversity structurally integrated 

The vision describes how nature and biodiversity are structurally integrated into the organization, decision-making, and projects of the Port Authority, and how companies in the port are encouraged to take measures on their own premises. In addition, nature-inclusive working becomes the standard for new developments.

A good example of this is the Maasvlakte Zuid railway yard (EMZ), which is being developed in a nature-inclusive way with extra space for nature. Water features are being created with nature-friendly banks, typical dune vegetation, amphibian ponds, and breeding pontoons for vulnerable coastal birds. The layout of the EMZ thus includes elements of both coastal and dune landscapes.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority is also actively working with partners to improve basic conditions such as soil quality, water quality, and to reduce environmental disruptions caused by light, noise and waste.

Social responsibility

Eric van der Schans, Director of Environmental Management at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, explains: ‘The Port of Rotterdam Authority recognises its responsibility to contribute to a better living and working environment for everyone in and around the port area. Restoration of nature and biodiversity is an important part of this.’

The Nature Vision is not a response to regulations or permit requirements but stems from the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s sense of social responsibility. Van der Schans: ‘We are not doing this to comply with regulations, but because we believe that a strong economy and a healthy environment reinforce each other. With this Nature Vision, we provide direction for fulfilling our role so that the port of Rotterdam can continue to develop in balance with its environment.’

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Diverse landscapes as a guideline

The Rotterdam port area is an important link within the much larger Rhine–Meuse Delta, on which the port both depends and exerts an influence. The Nature Vision focuses not only on the port area, but also on the delta of which it is part. This area contains a variety of 'landscapes' and zones, many of which reflect the characteristics of a rich and complex system where river and sea meet.

The Nature Vision is built around nine characteristic landscapes in and around the port, including the coastal landscape, dune landscape and tidal landscape. We have formulated our commitment for each landscape, for example by creating resting areas for migratory birds, improving habitats for pollinators such as wild bees and butterflies, and strengthening ecological connections with the surrounding environment. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is already applying ecological management in various parts of the port area.

The Nature Vision was made possible in part by the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, the Dutch research institute for biodiversity. ‘Nature can really use our help. This nature vision focuses entirely on nature positivity in the Port of Rotterdam Authority and its network partners,’ says Koos Biesmeijer, Scientific Director at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. ‘With this Nature Vision, the port becomes an important place for nature, and the Port of Rotterdam Authority becomes a catalyst for nature-positive action in Rotterdam and hopefully far beyond.’

Collaboration as the key

The Port of Rotterdam Authority emphasises that collaboration with governments, social organisations and companies is essential to realise the ambitions. Beyond the port area, connections will be made to existing initiatives such as tidal parks and nature development in the North Sea. This can be achieved through the Port Environment Fund or targeted contributions, if those projects are in line with the Nature Vision.

Source : Press - Release

The Port of Rotterdam ,  Nature Vision , a nature-inclusive port , Rhine-Meuse Delta ,Naturalis Biodiversity Center ,  (EMZ) ,Eric van der Schans