ROTTERDAM, 22 September 2025 – The port of Rotterdam is at a turning point as several planned projects have been paused or cancelled. Local and provincial leaders see an urgent opportunity for national government to strengthen the investment climate and secure future growth.
Major projects postponed
BP announced that construction of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Rotterdam will not go ahead for now. The company also shifted its investment in green hydrogen production to Spain and Germany, while shelving plans for an electrolyser in Rotterdam.
Other companies have recently made similar decisions. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical paused the construction of a new facility, and ExxonMobil put investment in a plastic recycling project on hold. Earlier this year, Gunvor, Tronox, LyondellBasell, Westlake and Indorama also reduced or stopped activities.
Chance to improve competitiveness
Alderman Robert Simons noted that the situation highlights the importance of structural measures to strengthen the Dutch industrial base. “The cabinet must now move forward with decisive steps. Incremental change is not enough,” he said, pointing out that the Rotterdam port community has already presented a proposal in The Hague that could make a difference.
Provincial executive member Arne Weverling stressed that the Netherlands has the potential to remain a leader in sustainable industry if issues such as energy costs, grid congestion and regulatory complexity are addressed more quickly. “With the right conditions, companies will continue to choose Rotterdam as the place to innovate and invest,” he said.
Safeguarding prosperity
According to both Simons and Weverling, ensuring that Rotterdam and Zuid-Holland remain attractive for investment is not only about jobs but also about safeguarding Europe’s strategic autonomy. Measures such as lowering network tariffs and accelerating nitrogen policy could help ensure that innovative projects continue to take shape in the port.
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