The terminal will add a fourth and final berth capable of handling the largest containerships in the world, alongside continued automation and sustainability upgrades.   In this final phase, RWG will make use of the full quay capacity allocated by the Port of Rotterdam Authority. The terminal will gain a fourth deep-sea container berth for the largest vessels in operation.  To support this, RWG is investing in five new quay cranes, eleven storage modules fitted with 22 automated stacking cranes, and 24 automated guided vehicles (AGVs).     The company will also explore the potential implementation of a BoxBay system for empty container storage, with a capacity of approximately 30,000 TEUs.

The latest phase of development is centred on further automation and sustainable operations. RWG is increasing charging capacity for electric equipment and expanding both office space and maintenance facilities.

Capacity for gates and non-standard cargo storage is also being increased. The total investment for this final phase stands at approximately €500 million ($576 million), part-financed by existing lenders, bringing RWG’s cumulative development cost to around €2 billion ($2.6 billion).

Construction of the fourth berth will proceed in phases at the existing terminal, running alongside the third-berth expansion announced in 2023, which RWG expects to bring into commercial operation in 2027.   Following contract finalisation for this last phase, RWG will continue civil engineering works ahead of further site development, with the additional capacity expected to enter commercial use before 2030. Once complete, the terminal’s total storage capacity will reach approximately 5 million TEUs.   Ronald Lugthart, CEO and Chairman of the Board of RWG, described the milestone as a defining moment for the terminal: “This final phase marks a special moment in the development of RWG. What started as an ambitious plan on a greenfield site on Maasvlakte 2 is now progressing towards the final phase of the terminal as originally conceived. “In many ways, RWG’s story reads like a children’s adventure novel: from the very first plans, literally being the New kids on the block in Rotterdam, we built something together that many people could only dream of at the time.”   He credited the achievement to the company’s shareholders and workforce: “This milestone is the result of entrepreneurial spirit, confidence, vision and investments of our shareholders, but above all of the hard work and dedication of our employees. They have built RWG into one of the most advanced, fully automated and sustainable container terminals in the world.”   Lugthart added that the expansion strengthens Rotterdam’s broader competitive position: “The last phase will not only strengthen RWG’s continuity, it will also enhance the competitive position of Rotterdam as the most important gateway to Europe. That makes this more than an investment in a terminal; it is an investment in the future of the Port 2.0, the region and the international position of Rotterdam.”