Flood Risk Management in the port of Rotterdam

(In the cover photo , Mr. Marc Eisma. Photo by Marc Nolte). We recently shared the news about the port-city collaboration in Rotterdam, to protect the territory against flooding and the sea level rise. In this article, Mr. Marc Eisma, advisor for environmental management in the port of Rotterdam, explains in more detail the port’s adaptation strategy and key measures. Background The risk of flooding will rise in the port of Rotterdam and the surrounding areas over the decades ahead as a result of climate change, and in particular the rise in sea level. Current climate scenarios foresee a sea level rise by 2100 of between 35 and 110 cm compared to 1990. The great economic significance and the presence of essential and vulnerable functions in the port area triggered research into the consequences of this. Areas inside the dykes are protected by a network of dykes and barriers. This does not hold for the areas outside the flood defence system, like the port of Rotterdam. Here businesses and owners of assets themselves bear responsibility for taking measures to limit the consequences from flooding and for any damage that results from this. Our aim is to ensure that the port of Rotterdam remains a safe place for business. We raise awareness among local companies of the potential threats created by climate change and how to manage the risk of flooding to an acceptable level. Port site Kop van de Beer, Europoort. Danny Cornelissen. Provided by the Port of Rotterdam. We are a flood-resistant port While the Rotterdam port area lies largely outside the flood defence system and in open connection to the North Sea, it is currently well protected against flooding. The port area has been constructed well above sea level relatively speaking and is partially protected by storm surge barriers. Only…