Luxembourg, 11/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 10 January, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Port of Rotterdam Authority (Havenbedrijf Rotterdam N.V. - HbR) signed a first financing contract of €100 million for the Maasvlakte 2 project. The contract is the first of several expected to reach up to €900 million, destined for financing the land reclamation project and construction and expansion of Rotterdam's container terminal capacity and port facilities between 2008-2014.
On 17 July 2007, the EIB approved a loan facility of €900 million for the Maasvlakte 2 project. This consists of the extension of the Rotterdam port and industrial zone area right on the North Sea, offering deep-sea-related container facilities and sites for the chemical processing industry and distribution services. Construction of Maasvlakte 2 will start in the autumn of 2008. The new port and industry area will measure 2000 hectares and offers room for expanding container activities, but also for the chemical industry and distribution. Industry has shown great interest in establishing itself on Maasvlakte 2. The first container terminals have been contracted. It is expected that the first terminal will be operational in 2013 and that around 2033 Maasvlakte 2 will be fully commissioned. Construction of Maasvlakte is estimated to cost €3 billion. The financing structure comprises own resources, (capital, shareholder loans, cash flow) as well as debt finance. Debt finance was a key condition for a favourable Final Investment Decision for the Rotterdam Maasvlakte 2 project. The approved EIB facility aims at fulfilling a significant part of this key condition.
The project is part of Rotterdam's mid-term master plan, which has been subject to a SEA (Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment). The project itself has been subjected to two full EIAs (Environmental Impact Analyses) focusing on the construction works and on the use of the reclaimed land during operation. Significant environmental effects of the sand extraction from the seabed have been identified and full mitigation/compensation measures have been put in place. A full and transparent information policy for the main stakeholders has been initiated and the project has received the European Commission's clearance.
EIB funds will finance the first phase of the project covering the construction of the external maritime sea wall works and the respective internal basic infrastructure. After completion, the new port extension will have two new container terminals with a handling capacity of approx. 4.2 million TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit), occupying a total surface of 150 Ha respectively and operating 2 km of quays. Additional land, totalling some 160 Ha, for port complementary uses such as depots, industry, environment, etc, will also be included.
The current EIB loan is a continuation of the successful cooperation between the EIB and HbR. In the past, the EIB also financed with €300 million the construction of both the Euromax container terminal and the Delta 2000-8 container terminal, said Mr Hans Smits. (O.L.)