'Connect 2025' strategic plan: ambitions for further development as a European port
The port authority focuses on
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3core tasks
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8programmes
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7spearhead sectors
3 core activities
The port authority will focus on its three core tasks to realize the strategic plan 'Connect 2025':
- The provision of port infrastructure and vacant industrial sites
- Nautical services
- The role of the director bringing together different players in the port area
8 programmes to realise the strategic plan
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Investing in climate
Port activities and their impact on the climate are receiving more and more attention. North Sea Port wants to reduce and eventually neutralise this impact. -
Investing in energy projects
Companies currently use a lot of energy, but they will have to operate in a climate-neutral manner in the future. -
Investing in the circular economy
The circular economy is an important pillar in achieving the ambitions of climate-neutral Europe. -
Strong logistics chains
North Sea Port is situated at the crossroads of seaborne transport and hinterland connections by rail, inland shipping, road and pipeline. Strong logistics chains are the backbone of an efficient port. -
Future-proof infrastructure
Reliable, high-quality, safe, smart and efficient infrastructure is essential to the further development of North Sea Port. -
Digitalisation and data community
The port authority wants to develop a 'North Sea Portal' by 2023. -
Working with local communities: ‘license to operate’
North Sea Port engages in dialogue with companies, public authorities and local residents and interest groups. -
Connecting collaborating parties
The port authority brings various parties into contact with one another – to connect them – and to arrive at solutions together.
7 spearhead sectors
North Sea Port has a highly diversified portfolio of activities. In the first place the port authority aims to maintain and further consolidate existing commercial and industrial activities and the associated employment.
It is also strongly committed to growth in the circular economy and the energy sector. These sectors with growth potential are also woven into the seven spearhead sectors.
Customer intimacy
The port authority is dedicated to customer intimacy – North Sea Port wants to be the connector, building relationships based on trust that look to the future. In doing so, the port authority aims to meet companies’ specific needs and offer tailor-made solutions. This differs from the approach of most seaports: delivering the lowest possible cost or being the leader in a particular market segment.
The way in which North Sea Port aims to interact with residents and the regional population also fits with the philosophy of customer intimacy: staying in touch, taking each other's interests into account and seeking consensus.
Customer intimacy also means building powerful alliances and partners doing what they are good at.
Shareholders set three tasks
Under the 'Connect 2025’ strategic plan, the port authority has been set three clear tasks by the eight shareholders: to focus on economic development and employment, sustainability and climate, and a sound financial foundation.
1. Economical development and employment
The benefits to society are not secured directly by North Sea Port as the port authority, but by the companies to which it plays host. North Sea Port needs these companies in order to achieve its shareholders’ objectives. It does so by improving the business climate for companies.
The first task is to generate employment within a larger, high- value and future-proof network of companies. It is the companies, new and established, that create the jobs and invest in sustainability. The key is to attract the right companies to the cross-border region, keep them there and enable them to grow. That means looking forwards, innovating and diversifying.
2. Sustainability and climate
The second task is sustainability and climate: less CO2, more nature, more circularity and efficient use of space. The companies in North Sea Port feel the pressure to become more sustainable. The port authority wants to differentiate itself by helping them achieve their sustainability aims and setting a good example. Growth and sustainability will go hand in hand.
3. Sound financial foundation
The third task is to be financially healthy. The shareholders do not participate in North Sea Port in order to make money. North Sea Port therefore does not have a dividend target but instead aims for an operating result that allows it to be financially healthy.
A balance between a commitment to employment, sustainability and solid finances will provide a foundation for the further development of North Sea Port as a European port.