This is according to the World Economic Forum in ”The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012”, which was published recently. Singapore’s wet infrastructure, third in 2010, was deemed to be the best in the world. The Netherlands came second, from three, followed by Hong Kong, the number one of 2010. In the total competitiveness ranking, the Netherlands moved up from eight to seven especially because of the improved climate for innovation.

Billions invested

The level of the current infrastructure is largely the result of the major investment projects in Rotterdam between 1994 and 2009. Billions were spent on roads and railways (the A15 Motorway, Port Railway Line/Betuwe Route), terminals (Maasvlakte), refineries/chemical industry (e.g. Shell, LyondellBasell, ExxonMobil, Indorama, Huntsman, Air Liquide​, Air Products​), tank storage (e.g. Vopak, Vitol, Botlek Tank Terminal, Odfjell, Rubis, Argos), energy (power, LNG, coal) and biofuels (Abengoa, Neste, Glencore).

In the coming period until 2015, investments will certainly not decline and amount to, as counted from 2007, almost €15 billion. The government earmarked € 2 billion for improving and increasing the capacity of the backbone of the port area: 45 km. long road corridor between the Maasvlakte in the west and the hinterland. The Port of Rotterdam Authority spends some € 150 million a year on the maintenance and expansion of roads, quays, safety, the environment, IT systems, inland terminals etc. Trade and industry account for around € 10 billion. This sum is rather untouched by the recent macro economic ups and downs.

In addition to all this, the Second Maasvlakte is to be built, costing around € 3 billion.