Rotterdam Port Prepares for NATO-Russia Conflict with Military Cargo Plans

Europe’s largest port in Rotterdam is preparing for a potential military confrontation between NATO and Russia by reserving space for vessels carrying military cargo and developing contingency plans for redirecting these supplies during wartime, The Financial Times reports. According to the paper, the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced in May that, at NATO’s request, Rotterdam would allocate several berths for ships transporting military equipment. The Rotterdam container terminal is currently the only location in the port where ammunition can be safely transferred from one ship to another. Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, told the newspaper that one or more ships will dock at a dedicated quay for several weeks, four or five times a year. Military drills will also be conducted multiple times annually. The FT notes that while the Rotterdam port has previously handled military equipment, it had never designated a specific quay for such operations.