Curbing the biodiversity loss is one of the major global challenges of our time, and seaports have an important role to play. Therefore Port of Rotterdam developed a Nature Vision, together with Naturalis Biodiversity Center and stakeholders. The vision was adopted by the port’s management in September 2025.
The vision states that together with stakeholders, we are strengthening nature and biodiversity in and around the port, thereby creating a nature-inclusive port in a thriving Rhine-Maas delta. This highlights some key elements. Firstly, we can not do this alone; we need nature organizations, governments, residents and port companies. Secondly, nature and port activities are not contradictory and can even be mutually beneficial. And thirdly, the port of Rotterdam has a vital position in the entire estuary of Rhine and Maas, which broadens our perspective; we will therefore also join forces with partners on improving nature outside the port’s borders.
The vision is based on a governance model with three pillars: ensuring room for nature, reducing pressure factors and improving abiotic conditions, and integrating biodiversity in company processes. To assist in translating the vision into practice, nine distinctive landscapes within the port were identified, such as the dune and tidal landscapes.
Currently an implementation plan is being developed. However, that doesn’t stop us from taking measures today. For example, we seek opportunities in all our infrastructure projects to strengthen biodiversity and invite our clients to join us. For that purpose, we have created a toolbox on nature inclusive working. This already leads to concrete results; one example is the new Maasvlakte rail yard, where a large new dune area with coastal bird breeding grounds is being developed. Also, vegetation management is being optimized on ecological grounds.