From today, companies in the North Sea Canal Area will be eligible to receive a subsidy from a special fund for sustainable development (the Port of Amsterdam Sustainability and Innovation Fund). The Amsterdam city council approved the fund on 30 September. Each year the Port of Amsterdam will award two million euro in subsidies and in the start-up year 2009 it expects to award some 1.5 million euro.

Sustainable growth

By 2020 Amsterdam Seaports (a joint venture between the ports of Velsen, Beverwijk, Zaanstad and Amsterdam) aims to be among the most sustainable ports of Europe - a basic principle of the Port Vision 2008-2020 Smart Port. The Port of Amsterdam views sustainable entrepreneurship as an important condition for a port area that generates jobs and income, makes efficient use of space and the environment, and is appealing to its environment.

Port Director Dertje Meijer comments, "Sustainable development is becoming an ever more important feature for us and for the companies we host. This means being more inventive and efficient in our work, which in turn requires knowledge and close co-operation. The fund challenges entrepreneurs in the North Sea Canal Area to develop innovative concepts, for example more efficient use of space, 'less obtrusive techniques' for storage and transhipment, recycling of waste, and logistics systems that reduce the number of transport movements. Under the motto Investing together in a smart port the fund offers financial support for innovation, sustainable activities in the port area. I am looking forward to the upcoming projects."

Subsidy

New projects that are aimed at better products, processes or services are eligible for subsidy. The projects will have a maximum term of two years. The subsidy amounts to 37.5%, with a maximum of €200,000. The costs of materials, use of equipment and hiring of third-parties are subsidisable. Both individual companies and co-operative ventures can apply for subsidies. There will be two types: annual from 1 October to 1 December, and from 1 April to 1 June. The projects will have to be carried out in the Amsterdam Seaport area. Applications will be decided within 16 weeks of tendering process completion.

As of 1 October throughout the year up to €40,000 will be available for studies into the technical and economic feasibility of projects. The percentage for these feasibility studies also amounts to 37.5 percent. These projects are for a maximum period of one year.

Amsterdam is working with local companies towards an economically strong and sustainable port. By 2020 the Port of Amsterdam aims to be one of the most sustainable ports in Europe.

Saskia Roeda, press officer, Port of Amsterdam: (020) 523 48 75

More information (in dutch) on website www.portofamsterdam.nl/DIHA (includes regulations, documents and forms).

For advice on application procedures and projects: diha@portofamsterdam.nl