In a video message, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority Allard Castelein pays tribute to the way port companies continue to carry out their work. In addition, he promises that ‘as the Port of Rotterdam, we will do our utmost for the port complex to safeguard the logistical chain.’
Earlier on Tuesday 24 March, the Port Authority issued a statement that the Port of Rotterdam will remain operational 24/7, even after the stricter measures announced by the Dutch government on Monday evening, to combat the spread of coronavirus. This is as expected given the fact that the government has already designated shipping handling and the associated processes in the logistics chain as a vital process to keep society running.
Health guidelines and recommendations
The Port of Rotterdam Authority, the port business community and nautical service providers in the port will continue to comply with the health guidelines and recommendations of the authorities such as working from home where possible, keeping a safe distance and good personal hygiene.
Tackling weak links when they appear
‘While health is the highest priority, we at the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Harbour Masters are also trying to minimise the impact of Covid-19 on the operations of the port of Rotterdam and industry,’ says the Port Authority on its website. The port has frequent consultations with the various nautical service providers, companies, interest groups and public authorities, both local and national, with the aim of ensuring that the port continues to operate as well as possible in the current difficult conditions.
Castelein says in his message that the consultations are meant to find out ‘whether there are any weak links in the chain. There aren’t any at this point. If we see any, we will try to tackle them together.’
‘I don’t have all the answers. I hope we can stay adaptive and flexible. And that we’ll face the future with just as much energy as we have now,’ he concludes his message.
Watch Castelein’s video message (English subtitles) below.
