WW3 fears mount as Europe’s biggest port ‘readying for war’ with Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin (Image: Getty)

Europe’s largest port has revealed how it is preparing for a potential conflict involving Russia as fears over Vladimir Putin’s ambitions mount. The Dutch port of Rotterdam is reserving space for ships carrying military equipment and also planning where to divert cargo in the event of conflict.

It is said the plans make up part of a series of war preparations drawn up across Europe as nations on the continent look to pour considerably more into their defence budgets as the Russia threat continues to loom. Chief executive of the Port of Rotterdam, Boudewijn Siemons, said it has been working with neighbouring Belgium’s Antwerp docks on how it could handle the possible arrival of vehicles and supplies from the UK, US and Canada. “Not every terminal is fit for handling military cargo,” he explained.

The Port of Rotterdam is Europe's biggest (Image: Getty)

Speaking to the Financial Times, he added: “If large volumes of military goods would have to be shipped, we’d look to Antwerp or other ports to take over some capacity and the other way around.

“We see each other less and less as competitors. And, of course, we compete where we have to, but we work together where we can.”

It comes after the Netherlands’ Defence Ministry said Rotterdam would be required to provide space for handling several ships transporting military kit at the request of NATO.

Mr Siemons told the Financial Times one or more ships would dock at Rotterdam for several weeks, for four or five times a year, although the location could change.

British troops have regularly transported kit and supplies via the sea and into northern European ports as part of exercises aimed at how they would reinforce NATO’s eastern flank.

In January, UK vehicles and personnel arrived in the German port of Emden to Romania for the alliance’s biggest wargame of the year.

NATO’s members, with the exception of Spain, which opted out, have agreed to increase defence and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

Secretary General Mark Rutte, alongside US President Donald Trump, pushed hard for allies to boost their spending and last month warned that Russia could be ready to attack an alliance member within five years.

The EU has also unveiled a €800 billion (£689 billion) plan to bolster its defences to reduce its reliance on the US amid concerns over Washington’s commitment to European security.