Europe’s largest port begins preparations for potential conflict with Russia
8.07.2025 - 13:43
The Port of Rotterdam is working on logistics options for the arrival of military cargo from the US, Canada and the UK.
According to the Financial Times, the port authority is allocating space for ships with military cargo and coordinating traffic distribution plans with Antwerp in the event of a full-scale invasion or new escalation.
The head of the port, Baudewein Simons, said that together with the Belgian port of Antwerp, logistics options are being worked out for the arrival of military cargo from the US, Canada and the UK.
“Not all terminals can handle such a nomenclature, so some of the cargo will have to be transferred to other ports, in particular to Antwerp,” the port head explained.
At the request of NATO, the Netherlands obliged Rotterdam to provide space for the simultaneous reception of several warships. It is planned that one or more such ships will be in the port for several weeks up to five times a year.
Ammunition transhipment will only be possible at a container terminal that meets safety standards. Several amphibious exercises are also planned each year.
It should be noted that the preparation of ports is part of a broader European effort to strengthen defense capabilities. Recently, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Russia could attack one of the Alliance countries by 2030.
Read also: Sweden and Denmark will strengthen inspections of Russian tankers in the Baltic Sea.
