Jul.5--ROTTERDAM's Maasvlakte 2, said to be the world's most up-to-date, automatic container port, handling the biggest ships afloat, is celebrating its fifth birthday this summer.

　　Anniversary excursions will be organised by bus and boat over the summer until October 1, focusing on Maasvlakte 2's early accomplishments, said the port authority.

　　The tours incorporate the most important areas in the new port. During the week, the bus tour will conclude with a visit to the most up-to-date, automatic container terminal.

　　On completion of the latest section of the Port of Rotterdam in 2013, terminal operators APM Terminals and Rotterdam World Gateway signed for substantial plots.

　　Euromax, which had just opened, signed an option on space for future growth for a yet-to-be-built facility. APMT and RWG were already equipping their terminals when, after over four years of construction, the new port was officially opened in May 2013.

　　One year later, both took the first steps towards establishing the fully automated terminals that now load and unload the world's largest containerships 24/7.

　　A flexible strategy was adopted for the design of Maasvlakte 2, using open water for direct transshipment of freight.

　　Since then, 350-metre long ships berth in two rows of eight pairs of dolphins for the direct ship-to-ship transshipment of liquid or dry bulk cargo.

　　When space at the quay is unavailable, this can offer an effective and quick alternative.

　　(Source:shippingazette)