More than 120 participants from across Europe recently came together in Wesel for a public workshop of the EU Commission-funded project MAGPIE.
The international consortium focuses on the future potential of sustainable logistics, with particular emphasis on aspects of digitalization and decarbonization. As part of the workshop, the DeltaPort Lower Rhine Ports presented their concepts for sustainable transformation and climate-friendly modal shift in transport. A key focus was the question of why ports are so important for quality of life and prosperity.

How can sustainable port development be reconciled with the needs of the local population?
What significance do ports have for regional and urban development?
And what role can ports play in climate-friendly transport concepts and in the energy transition as a whole?
These were the kinds of questions addressed by 120 international participants during the workshop held as part of the EU Commission-funded MAGPIE project in Wesel.
The MAGPIE project (sMArt Green Ports as Integrated Efficient multimodal hubs) aims to launch pioneering pilot projects in the dynamic environment of the ports of Rotterdam, DeltaPort (Wesel), HAROPA Port (Le Havre, Rouen, Paris; France), and Port of Sines (Portugal).
The international consortium of 45 companies, research institutions, and ports is led by the Port of Rotterdam Authority and is dedicated to the megatrend of sustainable logistics.
The workshop was hosted by the DeltaPort Lower Rhine Ports, which include the DeltaPort ports (City Port Wesel, Rhine-Lippe Port Wesel, and Port Voerde-Emmelsum), Emmerich Port, and the NIAG Port in Rheinberg-Orsoy.

Viktor Haase, State Secretary for Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), addressed the topic “Port development is sustainable urban and regional development” in his speech and emphasized the societal and economic significance of ports:
“They create value in the region and supply the population with goods.” Sustainable ports, he said, are developing into “high-tech locations with attractive jobs.”
At the same time, they are “an important foundation and necessary prerequisite for the successful implementation of national energy and climate goals” and “key hubs for modal shift in transport.”
In this context, Haase referred to the “Perspective for Sustainable Rhine Shipping 2030” and the multimodal logistics concept LOG4NRW, which was significantly initiated by the DeltaPort Lower Rhine Ports.
He also acknowledged the port alliance’s activities supporting the energy transition and the development of a hydrogen infrastructure, which are brought together in the EcoPort 813 association.

Important Exchange

Andreas Stolte, Managing Director of DeltaPort Lower Rhine Ports, picked up on this point and presented in more detail the activities of DeltaPort for sustainable transformation and climate-friendly modal shift.
The LOG4NRW multimodal logistics concept aims to establish a synchromodal logistics system that is intended to significantly relieve the traffic situation in the Ruhr region and Sauerland by shifting a large share of truck traffic in North Rhine-Westphalia from the road to waterways and rail.
Closely intertwined with this is the work of the EcoPort 813 association.
This network, which includes Duisburg Port among others, collaborates on energy transition issues and is currently working on building a hydrogen infrastructure.

“These two approaches are conceptually merged and incorporate the innovations tested in MAGPIE,” explained Stolte.
Specifically, hydrogen generated within EcoPort 813 is to be distributed throughout the state via the network created by LOG4NRW, thereby contributing to mobility supply across North Rhine-Westphalia.

“We must pursue our many and very concrete ideas intensively, proactively, and jointly in order to protect the climate and relieve road traffic for the benefit of citizens,” Stolte urged.
That is why the exchange with the MAGPIE partners is so important.
“We learn a lot from and with each other, and that benefits us all.”

Ingo Brohl, District Administrator of the Wesel district, emphasized in his welcoming remarks the enormous importance of ports for sustainable transformation and climate-friendly modal shift.
Brohl praised the commitment of the DeltaPort Lower Rhine Ports:
“The will to shape the future positively, to drive structural change forward, and to see it as an opportunity for new value creation is firmly anchored in the DNA of our Lower Rhine region. For us, DeltaPort is a valuable, competent driver and a strong location factor far beyond the region.”

Ulrike Westkamp, Mayor of Wesel, highlighted in her welcoming speech the excellent location of the city on the Rhine.
For centuries, Wesel has benefited from its location on one of the busiest waterways in the world.
DeltaPort Lower Rhine Ports emphasize this advantage to this day.

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