Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) has started construction of the first phase of its deep-sea container terminal on Maasvlakte 2.

The 108 hectare site with a quay wall of 1,150 meters (depth of 20 meters), and a 550-metre quay specifically designed for barges has already been built by the Port of Rotterdam. The terminal capacity of the first phase will be 2.35 million TEU and it will open in the second half of 2014. Total investments amount to some € 700 million.

Automated

The total number of 14 quay cranes are supplied by ZPMC from China. Transport of the containers from the quayside to the stack (temporary storage) is carried out by 59 computer-controlled electric Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs). The stack at the terminal will be equipped with 32 conventional automatic stacking cranes and 16 automatic cantilever cranes, all supplied by Gottwald.

Intermodal

RWG will be fully equipped and synchronized to handle container intermodal. Many containers as possible will therefore continue their journey into the hinterland of Europe by barge or rail transport which will ease road traffic congestion and keep environmental emissions to a minimum, thereby complying with sustainable transport agreements with the government.