Hafen-Logistik-Stadt - IBA Hamburg

IBA-LABOR 1 HAFENVERKEHR HAFEN - LOGISTIK UND STADTENTwIcKLUNG
- STADT
But we also have to consider the human factors
such as labour, knowledge and education, and
quality of life. One must not forget that 70.000
people have a job in this port area! And multiple
of this number is passing by, going through as
truck driver or visitor, or as one of the
inhabitants close to the port area. And the
human factor is one of the issues of which port
and city certainly share their interests.
In fact, with the framework of the Port Vision
2020, a “People, Planet, Profit” approach has
been set up (port vision 2020: see
www.havenplan2020.nl, English and German).
port Authority in transition
Due to globalization, the growth of world markets,
port competition, transport of cargo and
environmental regulations, the Port of Rotterdam
Authority is facing new challenges. The organization
is a publicly owned limited company since
2004. Today, two shareholders own the public
corporation: the municipality of Rotterdam and
the Dutch government. As a public corporation,
the Port Authority has published its business
plan 2006 – 2010 (see www.portofrotterdam.
com).
During discussions about the liberalization of the
Port Authority, the objection was often raised
that the model of a (government) corporation
would lead to less public control of such matters
as employment, economic regeneration
and other public interests such as public space,
recreation and nature. Allegedly, public interests
would not be served to the same extent, because
the corporation would focus more on commercial
matters.
Indeed, investment in the city of Rotterdam by
the Port Authority is not so obvious, unless it
will produce clear revenues for the port. That is
the consequence of being a corporation with the
national government as one of the shareholders,
and of having a new financial framework, which is
the result of agreements with the capital market
(the Port Authority has to borrow on the capital
market, with strict conditions on repaying loans).
Maasvlakte, Rotterdam
And yes, the Port Authority’s commercial tasks
have become more explicit.
However, the Port Authority’s concern for the
environment and sustainability, public space
and social issues has not diminished in the last
couple of years. One of the main objectives in the
Business Plan 2006 – 2010 is “To create the best
possible conditions for the development of the
port and the living and working environment”.
So it was, as one example, obvious to be the vital
shareholder of the Rotterdam Climate Initiative.
And regarding the “human factor” the PoR is
becoming conscious of the fact that competition
between ports is not only being dictated by rates,
efficiency and infrastructure. Factors like sharing
knowledge, innovation, the labour market and
environmental solutions are becoming important
for our clients.
And the public image is vital for further
development of the port, within a European,
democratic community. Not only in terms of
public support (licence to operate). It is also of
importance in order to attract new, young and
well-educated employees into the port.
For the IBA presentation in Hamburg, especially
the PoR’s work on the human factor (or the
People in within the triple P of corporate social
responsibility) will be illustrated below by 3
spearheads.
21