Effective and efficient water management is a challenge many governments face. Over the years Clingendael has developed a specific expertise in this area and often cooperates with UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education.

The Clingendael Academy offers a training course entirely devoted to water management, but also integrates water management modules in several other training programmes.

Diplomats from the Arab Region

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"5113","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"339","style":"width: 350px; height: 263px; float: left; margin: 4px;","width":"452"}}]]During our bi-annual Course for Diplomats from the Arab Region (CDAR) we use a variety of tools like lectures, skills training, simulations and working visits to Dutch, international and EU institutions.

We also include an excursion to the Port of Rotterdam and its surroundings, to give the diplomats a unique insight in water management techniques used in the Netherlands. In Spring 2015 we welcomed a group of 13 diplomats from Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan.

Europe’s biggest port

From a viewpoint near the river mouth of the Meuse we can appreciate the vastness of the port of Rotterdam. With its positioning at the mouth of both the rivers Rhine and Meuse, Rotterdam has a great connection to the European hinterland and with its expansion on the North Sea it is a gate to the world. We learned that container ships keep on getting larger. The Panama Canal for example, by the time its expansion will be finished, will already be too narrow for the widest container ships.

Maasvlakte 2: the most recent extension of the Port in the North Sea

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"5114","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"327","style":"width: 350px; height: 263px; float: right; margin: 4px;","width":"436"}}]]We drove past the old coastline and entered the artificial areas of ‘Maasvlakte 1’ and subsequently ‘Maasvlakte 2’ (literally the plain of the river Meuse), which have been reclaimed from the sea. We observed several petroleum refineries (crude oil is the largest cargo flow), the two big container terminals APM terminal (Maersk) and the Rotterdam World Gateway and distribution zones. We even had the chance to witness one of the latest generation of container ships at anchor. The container terminal is fully automatized: remote-controlled robots have taken the place of men in the crane and carts are driven by sensors in the deck. The Information Centre FutureLand explained the development of Maasvlakte 2, the newest port and industrial area of 2,000 hectares which has been constructed since 2009. On a virtual map we could see scenarios for further development until 2030. Driving a bit more inland, we passed a roll-on/roll-off terminal, mainly used for smaller scale regional trade.

From reclaiming land from the sea to protection against the sea – dykes, the Delta Works and natural protection from  the dune

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"5116","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","style":"width: 250px; height: 205px; margin: 4px; float: left;"}}]]We took the ferry from Rozenburg to Maassluis, following the dykes, and entered the Westland, with its typical greenhouses for horticulture and monoculture. A next highlight was the `Maeslandkering` or `Maeslant Barrier`. This forms part of the Delta works that protect the densely populated area of South-Holland against flooding. The movable barrier could close off the New Waterway when water levels are threatening the dykes in the environment. The construction has almost the same length as the Eiffel Tower and even weighs four times as much.

More information?

Please contact Ms. Mariska Heijs, Training and Research Fellow, Clingendael Academy.

- 28 March 2015