RWG’s Highly Automated Terminal Opens for Business

Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) celebrated the official opening of its highly innovative and automated container terminal at Maasvlakte 2 on Friday, September 11.

The Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, opened the terminal together with RWG’s Managing Director Ronald Lugthart.

“If we as a global port have the ambition to remain a world player, we need outstanding companies that are ready for the future. RWG is such an organization,” said Mayor Aboutaleb commenting on the new container terminal.

The terminal is highly automated and can handle the newest generation of ultra large container vessels (ULCCs) and the future generations to come. The terminal boasts eleven deep-sea cranes, three barge/feeder cranes, two rail cranes and 50 automatic stacking cranes which provide access to both deep-sea vessels and all hinterland connections.

“Our terminal, with its fully automated cranes, is run by a team of no more than 10 to 15 people on a day-to-day basis,” said Lugthart.

RWG employs 180 people, mostly IT specialists.

“It is a completely new way in container operations. We are, in fact, an IT company that handles containers: a container terminal 3.0. With this, RWG wants to set an example for the world.”

According to RWG, the high level of automation at the terminal brings benefits when it comes to safety and sustainability.

“Innovative concepts result in shorter distances for internal transport and less equipment on the terminal. With fully electric cranes which are powered by 100% green energy RWG is setting new standards in the industry,” RWG said in a release.

“Safety and sustainability are not just empty phrases. They are values that determine our behaviour on a daily basis, also towards our clients. Sustainability is important to us. Our remote operated cranes, for example, generate their own power,” explains Ronald Lugthart.

RWG is an international consortium which consists of four internationally operating shipping lines, those being: APL (Singapore), MOL (Japan), HMM (South Korea) and CMA CGM (France), and terminal operator DP World (Dubai).