The planned site, Truckparking Distripark Maasvlakte West, would be located next to the existing Maasvlakte Plaza, which already offers 569 parking spaces and operates around the clock. Together, the two facilities would provide a large block of secure capacity close to Rotterdam’s container terminals and distribution sites.
The tender covers more than parking bays alone. It includes civil and electrical works, a new access road and junction, fencing, lighting, energy supply, site facilities and technical installations. Of the 483 spaces planned, 10 would be designated for refrigerated units and 56 would be suitable for longer heavier vehicles.
The tender was published on 2 June, with submissions due by 6 July.
Part of a wider European parking shortage
The Rotterdam expansion comes against the background of a persistent shortage of secure HGV parking across Europe. A European Commission study published last year estimated the EU’s current deficit at 390,057 safe and secure parking spaces for professional drivers, a figure that could rise to 483,000 by 2040.
For ports and logistics hubs such as Rotterdam, secure parking capacity is linked not only to driver welfare but also to cargo security, route planning and compliance with driving and rest-time rules.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority says its secure truck parks are designed to reduce cargo theft risk, improve driver safety and give hauliers a place to wait outside peak periods. It also says the truck parks can help drivers reduce the risk of fines linked to driving and rest-time regulations.
Rotterdam also has strict overnight parking rules in the port area. Between 20:00 and 06:00, HGVs may only park at paid truck parks or in designated blue zones, where parking is limited to four hours with a parking disc. Vehicles parked outside permitted areas risk fines of at least €90, and in some cases may be clamped or towed.
Possible link to future truck charging
The tender also refers to possible changes linked to electric charging infrastructure and includes an option for future expansion on adjacent land.
This would fit with Rotterdam’s wider plans for truck charging. The port already has a charging site at Waalhaven Truck Park, with eight charging bays including two fast chargers, and has previously said its ambition is to electrify all secure truck parks in the port area.
If built as planned, the new Maasvlakte West site would add almost 500 secure spaces in an area where HGV parking is tightly regulated and where the port is also preparing for the electrification of heavy transport.
