Ports & logistics

The maritime future is NOW. Let’s shape it together!

Covering more than 70 per cent of our planet’s surface, the oceans and seas are vital to life on Earth. Since earliest time, the oceans have been a critical source of sustenance, inspiration, transportation, growth and adventure. However, we have yet to discover the much deeper potential the oceans have to offer for our food, energy, transport, leisure and living space.

Never before has the challenge to bring human activity into harmony with the oceans and aquatic ecosystems been greater, for the need is urgent due to an ever-increasing level of carbon emissions, climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Therefore, untapping the oceans’ full potential cannot be done without simultaneously preserving their health. It’s an action that we must take, urgently and collectively, to leave a profound legacy for our present and future generations.

As a densely populated low-lying country, the Netherlands has learned to deal with the forces of the oceans for centuries, enabling us to build what is today known as the world’s best protected delta. Owing much of its prosperity to the oceans, the Netherlands calls for an international partnership to change the course towards a sustainable blue economy, unlocking the full potential of healthy and productive oceans and seas.

AFB_ports and logistics_infographic

The Netherlands is eager to share its knowledge and expertise to initiate, amplify and accelerate actions which reduce pressure on the oceans. While adhering to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Dutch maritime sector can support you by:

  • developing smart and zero-emission shipping
  • creating green, vibrant and connected port cities
  • acting as a green gateway to Europe
  • advancing the sustainable blue economy with clean and productive oceans The journey towards the sustainable blue economy demands gamechangers. Let’s join together and shape the maritime future now!

The Netherlands is proud of its excellent maritime knowledge centres and highly skilled workforce, dedicated to creating long-term solutions and products that meet the highest quality and safety standards. The Dutch maritime sector consists of world-class knowledge institutes, training centres, engineering companies, shipbuilding industries, vibrant ports and related services all at a proximity to one another of just 200 km.

Together they collaborate to find solutions to very complex challenges by:

  • constructing multi-use offshore energy parks,
  • designing specialized working vessels and state-of-the-art superyachts,
  • implementing smart maintenance of ships,
  • creating bespoke concepts for vibrant ports and delta regions,
  • applying cutting-edge naval technology, and
  • managing complex heavy lifting and transport operations at sea.

With one third of the country below the sea level, the Netherlands has learnt to apply nature-based solutions to coastal protection structures and port infrastructure designs. All this knowledge and expertise has earned the Dutch maritime experts a prominent global presence. Dutch experts have a collaborative, hands-on approach to find the safest and most optimal solution together with multiple stakeholders and with a strong commitment to delivering on time.

Future economic growth in Chile, as well as in the Netherlands, is deeply tied to smart logistics and sustainable port development. This is due to the experience of both countries in international trade, ocean shipping, port development and efficient organization of their logistic chains.

In January 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed within the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications in Chile and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands. The aim of this MoU is to improve efficiency in the logistic chains, through cross-border public-private partnerships, including the Chilean Foundation for Logistics Efficiency.

Later on, in July 2022, the Partners in Business (PIB) agreement was signed between the Dutch government and a cluster of Dutch companies. The objective of this three-year public-private partnership is to foster smart and sustainable solutions for the Chilean ports, logistics and energy sector. Market opportunities around innovative and sustainable solutions will be further defined and developed. Together with the Chilean partners, the foundation is laid for the delivery of technologies and products, services, knowledge and research during and after the term of the PIB.

The cluster members of the PIB commit to Responsible Business Conduct agreements aimed at mitigating risks and creating a positive impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs in particular):

SDG 7/ Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern management for all

SDG 8/  Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

SDG 9/ Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster

SDG 13/ Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

In the framework of the recently signed MoU and PIB, Chile and the Netherlands have agreed to focus primarily on solutions for ports & logistics cooperation in the following fields:

  1. Sustainable freight transport and smart logistics;
  2. Integral development of logistic chains;
  3. Coordination and facilitation of processes through digital transformation of the maritime sector, including the application of quality data management in logistics, for improving public and private decision-making processes;
  4. Stimulating research, development and applied sciences in logistics;
  5. Enhancing knowledge by participatory processes and co-creation; and
  6. Other areas linked to logistics and port sectors, decided upon by both Participants, in conformity with their competences.

Do you want to know more?

paula.galilea@minbuza.nl

Interesting links and resources...

Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat

Water & Maritime

Hollan International Distribution Council

Invest in Holland

Topsector Water & Maritiem

GIRAgua

With its extremely elongated shape, 4,000 kilometres from north to south, and geographic diversity, Chile has a multitude of water issues. The availability of water is one of the most urgent issues. The north of Chile in particular is extremely dry. In 2019, the Netherlands and Chile started the GIRAgua recharge pilot project aimed at water retention and underground storage in the Coquimbo region.

The GIRAgua recharge pilot project is looking at the catchment area of the Elqui River which flows from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean. This catchment has hardly any water in the dry season, but does have water in the rainy season which then disappears straight into the sea. The project consists of aquifer recharge and underground storage practices to contribute to integrated water management of the Coquimbo region. The project is an initiative of a Dutch consortium led by Deltares and co-implemented with Chilean partners.  Financially, GIRAgua is supported by the subsidy scheme of the Dutch Partners for Water programme and the Government of the Coquimbo region. 

Con su forma extremadamente alargada, 4.000 kilómetros de norte a sur, y su diversidad geográfica, Chile tiene una multitud de problemas de agua. La disponibilidad de agua es uno de los problemas más urgentes. El norte de Chile, en particular, es extremadamente seco. En 2019, los Países Bajos y Chile iniciaron el proyecto piloto de recarga GIRAgua destinado a la retención de agua y al almacenamiento subterráneo en la región de Coquimbo.

El proyecto piloto de recarga GIRAgua se centra en la cuenca del río Elqui, que fluye desde los Andes hasta el Océano Pacífico. Esta cuenca apenas tiene agua en la estación seca, pero sí tiene agua en la estación de las lluvias que luego desaparece directamente en el mar. El proyecto consiste en prácticas de recarga de acuíferos y almacenamiento subterráneo para contribuir a la gestión integrada del agua en la región de Coquimbo. El proyecto es una iniciativa de un consorcio neerlandés dirigido por Deltares y ejecutado conjuntamente con socios chilenos.  Financieramente, GIRAgua cuenta con el apoyo del programa de subvenciones del programa neerlandés “Socios para el Agua” y del Gobierno de la región de Coquimbo.