The inland shipping industry around Werkendam has big plans to strengthen its leading position in the Netherlands. A third port and – in the longer term – a completely new port are needed to realize the ambitions. A large number of companies suffer from a ‘chronic lack of space’.
“We need space to continue to grow. New developments in the field of sustainability such as the electrification of ships require this,” says councilor Hans Tanis (SGP) of the municipality of Altena.
Board member Patrick de Pree of shipbuilding company Concordia Damen agrees with the alderman. His company builds inland vessels, tankers, push boats and river cruise ships. “The current shortage of space is a major concern for us. We are now spread across various locations in Werkendam. Logistically, it is very difficult to carry out our work efficiently.”
Around fifty companies are active in the maritime industry around the Biesbosch and Beatrixhaven in Werkendam. Forty percent of all large inland vessels in the Netherlands are built here. The sector employs around 2,700 people.
A new dock and an extension of the quay in Biesboschhaven is a short-term solution to the lack of space that a number of companies are experiencing. For example, shipbuilder Concordia Damen can focus more on the construction of river cruise ships in the future. Patrick de Pree: “There is a great need for an extra quay on the Nieuwe Merwede for this.”
“The struggle with space will therefore continue for a while.”
The municipal council has now approved the plan for excavating undeveloped land at Biesboschhaven Zuid. “We have started the spatial procedure and purchasing the land,” says councilor Tanis. The municipality will pay half of the required twenty million euros from its own pocket. The remaining half is borne by the entrepreneurs.
Depending on the objection procedures, the municipality of Altena expects that the additional dock and the extended quay in the Biesboschhaven could be completed within four to five years. “The struggle with space will therefore continue for a while,” sighs councilor Tanis, who sees the expansion as an ‘interim solution’. In the meantime, he has focused on longer-term plans.
The municipality of Altena and the shipping companies have long harbored the wish for a new third port in addition to the two existing ports. According to councilor Tanis, it is an ‘economic necessity’ to maintain and strengthen the sector in Werkendam.
Such an additional port would cost roughly 100 million euros. It is estimated that a one and a half kilometer longer quay will be added, with 6.5 hectares of industrial estate. “In addition to room for growth for existing companies, we also want to be attractive to companies from the Drechtsteden that would like to establish themselves here. A third port will boost employment,” says Tanis.
“We have a maritime cluster here of national and even international importance.”
According to the municipal manager, the municipality of Altena could certainly use some extra support from the province in achieving its ambitions. “From Den Bosch, the economic interest is understandably focused on everything that has to do with ASML. But we also have a maritime cluster here of national and even international importance.”
To finalize the plans, the municipality of Altena is now in discussions with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the National Maritime Manufacturing Industry Agency and the province.
There is broad support for the plan from the House of Representatives. A motion was adopted in December, as a result of which broad research is now being conducted into the possibilities for a third port. This is expected to be realized after 2030.