Construction work on the Princess Alexia Viaduct at Maasvlakte 2 is underway, and with it comes a unique challenge: how to keep electric work equipment powered in a remote, industrial setting.
BAM Infra Nederland, under contract from the Port of Rotterdam Authority, is currently building the viaduct to improve infrastructure access within the port area. As part of the early stages, the team has rerouted traffic on Maasvlakteweg to accommodate the construction footprint. But the standout feature isn’t the detour—it’s what powers the machines doing the heavy lifting.
Unlike traditional projects that rely on diesel-powered machinery, this one leans into electrification. A wide range of electrically powered equipment is being deployed on site—from drilling units to cranes—all of which require substantial, consistent power. That’s easier said than done when working on Maasvlakte 2, an engineered extension of the Dutch coast known for its sparse infrastructure and open terrain.
To meet the energy demands, a dedicated power connection was established specifically for the construction zone. More notably, a tailor-made charging station has been built on location, solely to serve the electric machinery being used for this project. It’s not just a plug-in point; it’s a full-service charging hub capable of supporting the operational needs of large-scale construction equipment in a tough, industrial environment.
This setup helps reduce emissions on site and limits the dependency on fossil fuels in a traditionally diesel-heavy sector. But beyond the sustainability narrative, it also shows how logistics planning now increasingly includes electrical infrastructure as a core component—not just an afterthought.
The Port of Rotterdam continues to serve as a testbed for infrastructure modernization in the maritime and project freight sectors. This project’s approach might be an early sign of what’s to come for large-scale civil works near ports: cleaner, quieter, and powered by dedicated on-site solutions instead of temporary fixes.
