In 2005, the Port of Rotterdam Authority launched an open assessment procedure for operating the first container terminal to open on Maasvlakte 2. Fourteen shipping and stevedoring companies applied for the 156-ha terminal. Consortia were formed quickly, enabling parties to make a better (joint) offer. The above mentioned consortium put forward the best plan.

Open Assessment 
Potential clients bided for the contract to locate first on Maasvlakte 2 by means of an Open Assessment Procedure. Five Companies and combinations made a bid. In the meanwhile, unconnected to this procedure, the Port Authority and APM Terminals concluded a contract for the right to operate another terminal on Maasvlakte 2. The terminal will amount to a maximum size of 167 hectare. This will be the second terminal to be built. 

Three phases 
The Open Assessment Procedure consists of three phases:

• The selection of candidates in the prequalification (closed on 15 June 2005)
• Qualification (fall 2006)
• Negotiations (spring 2007)  

Prequalification 
The Port Authority conducted an open, transparent and non-discriminatory procedure for the allocation of the first sites for container terminals. The selection of candidates in the prequalification phase occurred on the basis of a volume criterion, whereby candidates must have transshipped and/or transported at least 2 million TEU in the past year. Information about the candidates’ ambitions and intentions was also exchanged in this phase using a standard methodology. This information was vitally important in giving further shape to the procedure.

The successful candidates from the prequalification phase all signed a declaration of intent with the Port of Rotterdam Authority. With this declaration of intent, both parties confirmed that they were aware of each others’ intentions regarding Maasvlakte 2 and that they would proceed in earnest with the open assessment procedure. The registration procedure closed on 15 June 2005.   

Qualification
During the qualification phase, the remaining candidates had to submit their business proposal. This was based on the Request for Proposal. The Port of Rotterdam Authority assessed the candidates' proposals. The assessment was based on constraints, assessment criteria (below) and strategic assumptions, as specified in the Request for Proposal. The qualification led to a selection of candidates with which the Port of Rotterdam Authority entered into the negotiation phase.

Criteria
The assessment criteria for the various proposals are made up of four categories: financial (40%), strategy & marketing (25%), sustainability (20%) and terminal concept (15%).

Financial
At the heart of the category ‘financial’ is remuneration for use of the terminal. Parties are asked to put in a bid for the terminal. They are also asked to estimate the volume of incoming and outgoing cargo transported by ship. This shipping traffic is, in fact, also a source of revenue for the Port Authority. Should the companies’ estimates prove more or less favourable in practice, then a ‘bonus-penalty’ arrangement comes into effect. The company operating the terminal then shares in the extra revenues if shipping traffic is higher than anticipated or must make up the difference if the estimates prove too optimistic.    
 
Strategy & marketing 
The category ‘strategy & marketing’ covers such aspects as the role of the terminal in the company’s European and global network and the degree to which the company is able to attract cargo and shipping lines. 

Sustainability    
Amongst the aspects covered when assessing ‘sustainability’ is the degree to which the company transports cargo to the hinterland via inland shipping and rail rather than by road. The emissions of noise, light and air pollution are also looked at.
 
Terminal concept 
In this category, issues which play a role include the terminal’s productivity, the efficiency of the set-up for handling various transport modalities and the choice of materials utilized at the terminal. This latter aspect also has an important environmental component.