ROTTERDAM, 19 August 2024 – Rotterdam creatives and global artists can now connect with Caribbean talent through Caribbeans Connects, a new platform designed to bridge local and international creative communities.

A new digital platform, Caribbeans Connects, has launched with the aim of connecting creatives from the Caribbean with those in the UK, the United States, Europe, and beyond. Rotterdam, known for its vibrant arts scene, now has direct access to Caribbean talent through this platform, enhancing opportunities for collaboration and cultural exchange.

A global stage for Caribbean creatives

Caribbeans Connects offers a space for a wide range of creative professionals, including models, content creators, musicians, dancers, photographers, music producers, videographers, and actors, to collaborate and gain recognition. By uniting local Caribbean talent with international markets, the platform seeks to boost the earning potential of these creatives.

Founded in the United Kingdom, Caribbeans Connects is designed to make it easier for those visiting Caribbean islands to discover and hire local talent. The platform serves not only individual artists but also film productions, fashion brands, and other entities looking to tap into the rich pool of Caribbean creativity.

Strengthening ties between Rotterdam and the Caribbean

Rotterdam, with its diverse population and strong ties to the Caribbean community, stands to benefit from the connections facilitated by Caribbeans Connects. The platform already hosts a significant number of UK-based creatives, eager to collaborate with their Caribbean counterparts, offering new possibilities for projects involving Rotterdam's creative professionals.

Registered users on the platform can enjoy various features, including posting and applying for job adverts, both national and international. The platform also allows creatives to communicate via a forum, and musicians can link their Spotify profiles to their Caribbeans Connects profiles.

Jermaine Young-Bushay, the founder of Caribbeans Connects, shared his vision for the platform, stating, “The vision for Caribbeans Connects is to make it easier to discover untapped talent across the Caribbean so that creatives can connect with local and visiting creatives. When you look at the way certain countries have built their own industries like Hollywood, Nollywood and Bollywood, there should be a Caribbean equivalent. I hope that when people hear Caribbeans Connects it reminds them that the Caribbean is also a hub for creativity, not just tourism.”

Addressing challenges in the Caribbean

While the Caribbean is often celebrated for its natural beauty, it is also one of the most vulnerable regions to climate-related natural disasters. These events often lead to significant debt and reluctance from external investors. Caribbeans Connects aims to empower local creatives by building a global network, enabling them to create and find opportunities independently.

Commercial featuring Caribbean talent

Caribbeans Connects has produced a commercial featuring talent from within its network, showcasing individuals both in front of and behind the camera. The commercial, which highlights the platform's mission and the creativity within the Caribbean, can be viewed below:

How to join Caribbeans Connect

Creatives and those seeking to engage with Caribbean talent can visit the website at https://caribbeansconnects.com/talents/ to register and start connecting.

ROTTERDAM, 8 August 2024 – The World Port Days (Wereldhavendagen) will introduce a new central festival square for the first time this September. The square will serve as the heart of the event, featuring a day and evening programme for visitors.

The upcoming edition of the World Port Days, scheduled for 6, 7, and 8 September 2024 in Rotterdam, will feature the introduction of the World Port Festival Square (Wereldhaven Festivalplein). Located at Baltimoreplein, the open space between the Cruise Terminal and the World Port Center on Rotterdam's Kop van Zuid, this square will act as the central hub for the event, offering a diverse programme that caters to all ages. The programming will include performances, interviews, dialogues, cultural and nautical activities, and a variety of food and beverage options. Additionally, there will be a dedicated area for children's activities.

For the first time, the World Port Days will include a Friday evening programme, with the square open from 10:00 to 23:00 on both Friday and Saturday, and until 18:00 on Sunday. Access to the square, like most of the World Port Days events, will be free of charge.

A new meeting point

The World Port Festival Square aims to be a central meeting place for visitors of all ages. The square will be populated with numerous food trucks and bars, providing ample options for food and drink. The large stage on the square will host a variety of performances, including musicians, dancers, and DJs, as well as interviews and dialogue sessions. There will also be a programme designed to facilitate discussions between representatives from the port and the citizens of Rotterdam. This programme will run alongside the water shows on the Nieuwe Maas, with large screens on the quays displaying the activities.

The creation of the World Port Festival Square is a collaborative effort with several local organisations, including Rotterdam Street Culture Week, CODARTS, Circus Rotjeknor, and OPEN Rotterdam. These organisations, deeply connected to the city and its harbour, will contribute to the diverse programme. On Friday, the programme will focus on a younger audience aged 15 to 25, while Saturday's events will appeal to a broader public.

Sabine Bruijnincx, Director of World Port Days, commented on the development: “There has long been a desire to create a central meeting place at our event where the vibrant atmosphere can be maintained even after 18:00, when most activities on the quays and water have concluded. We saw this wish reflected in the evaluations with our audience, particularly among young people. I am proud that we can now offer such a space, made possible by many talented organisations within our city. While relaxation and entertainment are central at the Festival Square, the dialogue programme ensures that the World Port Days also provides an opportunity for deeper engagement.”

Additional programme and ticket sales

Details of the precise programming for the World Port Festival Square will be announced soon. A significant portion of the World Port Days programme is already available on the event’s official website.

As usual, most of the events, including the Festival Square, quayside activities, water shows, and the spectacular Saturday evening show, will be free to attend. Ticket sales for excursions, boat trips, and tours will begin on 19 August at 12:00. Tickets for the popular P&O Ferries day cruise are already available, and the sale of official World Port Days merchandise has also commenced.

For more information about the World Port Days, visit wereldhavendagen.nl.

Location and directions

The World Port Festival Square is situated on Rotterdam's Kop van Zuid, between the Cruise Terminal and the World Port Center. This area is easily accessible by public transport, including trams and metro services. Parking facilities are also available nearby, though visitors are encouraged to use public transportation due to expected crowds.

ROTTERDAM, 1 August 2024 – Visitors to the World Port Days in Rotterdam will have the opportunity to explore an interactive 'hydrogen inspirience' by Missie H2. This event will highlight the role of hydrogen in achieving climate goals and demonstrate the progress made in the Netherlands.

Hydrogen 'inspirience' debuts at World Port Days in Rotterdam

During the 47th edition of the World Port Days (Wereldhavendagen) on 6, 7, and 8 September 2024, visitors in Rotterdam will have the chance to explore the 'inspirience' by Missie H2. This interactive exhibit, blending 'inspiration' and 'experience,' aims to educate attendees about hydrogen's role in meeting climate targets and the progress the Netherlands has achieved in this field. The exhibit will be located on the Innovation Quay (Innovatiekade), a section of the World Port Days dedicated to future innovative solutions for the Port of Rotterdam.

Interactive installations at the dome pavilion

The Missie H2 inspirience will be hosted in a dome-shaped pavilion on the Holland Amerikakade, near the foot of the Erasmus Bridge, close to the KPN building and De Rotterdam. Through various interactive installations, visitors can learn about hydrogen production, storage, and transportation. The exhibit will also showcase ongoing efforts and future needs for achieving a sustainable future, particularly in the Rotterdam port and beyond.

Innovations at the Innovation Quay

In addition to the Missie H2 inspirience, visitors to the Innovation Quay will have the opportunity to discover other innovations shaping the future of the Port of Rotterdam and maritime industry. Highlights include the first hydrogen-powered water taxi in Rotterdam and various innovative start-ups and scale-ups from the Rotterdam Makers District, such as Royal Roos' 3D-printed keel blocks.

The Missie H2 initiative

The inspirience is organised by Missie H2, a collaboration of several organisations, including Gasunie, Groningen Seaports, Port of Amsterdam, Remeha, Shell Nederland, Eneco, Toyota, and Vopak. This initiative focuses on hydrogen as a key energy carrier to help meet the Paris Climate Agreement goals, aiming for a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 and a carbon-neutral Netherlands by 2050.

Missie H2 seeks to inspire, connect, and encourage governments, companies, and citizens to contribute to this transition. The initiative showcases the promise of hydrogen, the progress made, and the challenges ahead in making the Netherlands a leading hydrogen nation.

Remarks from World Port Days director

Sabine Bruijnincx, director of the World Port Days, expressed enthusiasm about the Missie H2 inspirience: “We are delighted to welcome the Missie H2 inspirience to the World Port Days. This is the first time our visitors can engage in such a comprehensive experience about the present and future of hydrogen, seen as one of the most promising solutions for the energy transition. Missie H2 perfectly aligns with our ambition to showcase the current innovative character and future of the Port of Rotterdam.”

Programme details and ticket sales

With about a month to go, the World Port Days organisation has announced a significant portion of the programme and participants, available on the event website. Most of the programme, including quay activities, water shows, and the spectacular Saturday evening show, is free to attend. Ticket sales for excursions, boat trips, and tours will start on 19 August at 12:00. Tickets for the popular P&O Ferries day cruise are already available, as is the new official World Port Days merchandise. 

For more information about the World Port Days, visit World Port Days website.

Visiting the Innovation Quay

The Innovation Quay is situated on the Holland Amerikakade, near the Erasmus Bridge. This area is easily accessible and offers a glimpse into the future of the Port of Rotterdam with various innovative exhibits.

ROTTERDAM, 12 July 2024 – A new tidal park has been inaugurated in the Keilehaven area, transforming the former stony quayside into a unique natural habitat. The park, part of the Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H) district, was officially opened by Alderman Zeegers, celebrating the integration of nature into the urban environment.

Keilehaven tidal park opens

The Keilehaven harbour basin has been converted from a rocky expanse to a tidal park, allowing for the natural ebb and flow of water. Alderman Zeegers inaugurated the park on Friday, highlighting its ecological and recreational benefits. The transformation of Merwe-Vierhavens from an industrial harbour area to a vibrant urban space necessitates changes to the public realm. The former stone quays, once used for cargo handling, are being replaced with green spaces. The tidal park aims to connect people with the waterfront and enhance biodiversity.

Tidal terraces

The park features nine tidal terraces, each varying in height to create different microhabitats. These terraces, which are periodically submerged due to tidal changes, support diverse plant and animal life. Species adapted to brackish water conditions, such as certain plants, fish, and birds, now thrive here. Visitors can access the water via a staircase at the head of the Keilehaven.

Increased biodiversity

The dynamic environment created by the tides attracts various species. Birds such as spoonbills and common terns, along with fish like eels and sticklebacks, have found a new habitat in the park. Underwater, two storm-felled trees have been placed to mimic the original riverine ecosystem, providing shelter and restoring the habitat for aquatic life.

Material reuse

In line with Rotterdam’s circular city initiatives, the park was constructed using repurposed materials. Cobblestones from Noordereiland, surplus sand from Museumpark, and discarded concrete paving stones from the Agniessebuurt were all utilised. This approach aligns with the city’s commitment to sustainable building practices.

Waste collection system

The water in the park features a CirCleaner, a system designed to capture plastic and other debris from the surface. This prevents pollution and protects aquatic life, forming part of a broader strategy to keep Rotterdam’s waters clean and reduce waste entering the sea.

Collaboration

The Keilehaven tidal park is a collaborative project involving the Municipality of Rotterdam, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, and various partners, including the European Union’s LIFE programme and multiple local and regional funds. Designed by the Urbanisten, the project integrates sustainability and innovation, with contributions from Noria Sustainable Innovators addressing plastic pollution in waterways.

Location and access

The Keilehaven tidal park is located in the Merwe-Vierhavens district of Rotterdam. The area is accessible by public transport, bicycle, and on foot.