ROTTERDAM, 30 January 2026 – A newly published Dutch coalition agreement signals clear political support for industry, with Rotterdam’s port and industrial cluster framed as central to the country’s earning power and resilience. Rotterdam’s municipality, the province, the port authority and regional business partners say they are ready to work with the national government on fast, concrete delivery.
In a joint response, Gemeente Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Havenbedrijf Rotterdam, Deltalinqs and Economic Board Zuid-Holland point to measures they see as directly relevant for the Rotterdam industrial cluster and the wider port economy.
Measures aimed at a fairer playing field
The partners highlight three headline moves: scrapping the national CO₂ levy, pushing for lower electricity costs, and committing to stable long-term policy. In their view, that combination is meant to bring the Netherlands closer to a level European playing field for industry.
They also welcome the continued focus on an area-based nitrogen approach (gebiedsgerichte stikstofaanpak) for port and industry, which they describe as essential for linking nature restoration with economic development and creating room for permits.
Why the port cluster matters nationally
The statement positions the port as the place where national ambitions meet in practice, where policy, investment and infrastructure collide, and where the energy and materials transition can happen at scale. It points to the size of the integrated industrial and chemical cluster, the region’s energy and logistics infrastructure, and a strong knowledge base as reasons Rotterdam is well placed to deliver.
It also references the Rotterdam port vision (Rotterdamse Havenvisie) and the start decision for a NOVEX study focused on solving space constraints in the port while improving the region’s living environment.
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Pressure to move quickly
The partners stress urgency. Businesses in and around the port are making major investment decisions now, and they argue that the value of the coalition plans depends on pace, concrete implementation, and a clear timeline that companies can plan around.
Port alderman Robert Simons links the outcome to sustained joint lobbying, but says delivery is the real test: “The coalition agreement shows that our joint lobbying has had an effect. We can see that together as an important step forward. Now it comes down to speed: companies in our port must quickly feel and notice this in their daily practice. Rotterdam is ready to start working directly with the cabinet on implementation.”
Province and port authority raise priorities
Arne Weverling says the coalition deal contains proposals that can strengthen the port and industry, but points to the practical bottlenecks that still need solving, including grid congestion, nitrogen constraints, and energy costs that are higher than neighbouring countries. “The national government and the region need each other badly. Only by making choices together do we ensure a good investment climate and keep the port and industry economically strong.”
For the port authority, Boudewijn Siemons welcomes a focus on acute issues like nitrogen, grid congestion, high industrial energy prices, and resilience, but raises a funding question: whether sufficient financial resources will be made available for industrial policy, including measures that could bring electricity prices for large users closer to the level in neighbouring countries.
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What happens next in the region
The statement notes that national and regional partners are already working together within NOVEX on the port’s future, and treats the coalition deal as an invitation to intensify and accelerate that collaboration. The priorities named include investment certainty, a predictable spatial course, targeted investment in energy and CO₂ infrastructure, grid reinforcement and hydrogen, key technologies and value chains, and continued attention to a healthy living and working climate.
The Rotterdam partners’ bottom line is straightforward: the direction looks promising, but the next phase needs clear choices, clear money, and clear dates, so companies can commit with confidence.
