In the harbor of Rotterdam, areas for NATO ships are reserved, and weapon transfer routes have also been developed in preparation for a potential war in Russia.
Europe’s largest port – Rotterdam – began to prepare for a potential conflict with Russia, featuring a place for ships with military cargo and planning how to redeem civilian transportation in the event of war. The Financial Times reported this on Tuesday, July 8.
The Director of Port Administration Budiev Simons said the port was coordinating actions along with Antwerp in nearby Belgium in case of equipment and materials arrival from the UK, USA and Canada.
“Not all terminals are suitable for processing military cargo,” Simons explained. – “If you need to carry large quantities, we will consider slightly transferring the power of Antwerp or other ports, and vice versa. We see each other as low as competitors. Of course, we are competing where we need it, but we work together, where we can.”
These steps are part of Pan -european preparation events. The EU is preparing a re -plan for up to € 800 billion, trying to be more independent in the field of defense against the background of US President Donald Trump and Russia’s containing.
The Netherlands, like other NATO members, have promised to increase defense costs to 5% of GDP. In May, the country’s Ministry of Defense announced that Rotterdam will have to receive multiple ships with military shipment at the NATO request.
According to Simons, one or more ships will be able to work for a few weeks four to five times a year. The location may change, but only the terminal of the container is technically safe to safely translate ammunition from one vessel to another.
Also, military exercises will be conducted regularly on the port.
The port had an experience of armed transportation, in particular, during the Persian Gulf period in 2003. However, even during the Cold War, he had no specialized military pier.
While Antwerp regularly welcomes freight for American troops deployed in Europe.
In June, NATO secretary Mark Rutte warned that Russia could attack one of the alliance countries in 2030.
Rotterdam port reaches 42 km along the Maas River. Each year, it processes about 436 million tonnes of shipment and takes 28,000 seas and 91,000 circular vehicles. After the introduction of EU penalties against Russia, the port lost about 8% of the trading volume – mainly oil products.
The Port of Antwerp, the second largest in the EU, processes 240 million tons of shipment a year.
Simons noted that both ports improve cooperation to increase European stability.
“Our teams work more in different directions, including maintenance issues,” he emphasized.
The Port of Rotterdam is also used as a strategic supply storage store. In this context in the Netherlands, European countries have been called to look after other critical resources, including copper, lithium and graphite.
Remember that Russian Federation’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Ryabkov recently announced that Russia will not stop war in Ukraine until NATO has left Baltic countries.
Rutte called on NATO to prepare for the war in Russia
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.