The necessity for U.S. port expansion: a Dutch view

Abstract

Abstract In the next twenty years the domestic consumption of coal will lead to a tenfold increase of coal imports in The Netherlands. In addition to this, the increasing demand to import coal by other European countries will mean that almost 50 million tons of coal per annum will be handled in Dutch ports in the year 2000, of which Rotterdam will handle more than 60%. In Rotterdam it is expected that by the year 1990 the maximum ship size for the transportation of coal will be 250000 dwt and will grow at the turn of the century to 300 000 dwt. A major new coal terminal will be built in the port of Rotterdam which when complete will have an annual handling capacity of 25 million tons, accommodating ships up to 72 ft draft. The most important restraints on a sharp increase of coal exports from the U.S. are the existing transportation and port limitations. Apart from upgrading coal‐handling facilities, there is an urgent need for deepening the ports of the U.S., because of the growing size of ships, so as t...