For the first time on record a fossil hyena dropping, 30,000 to 40,000 years old, brown, and nicely fossilized, was trawled from the North Sea. 

Since work started on the construction of Maasvlakte 2 two years ago, 170 million m3 of sand has been brought in. That is more than would be needed to fill the Rotterdam - Fyenoord soccer stadium to the brim 100 times. At the height of the 'sand operations', some ten trailing hopper suction dredgers were at work simultaneously.

Between now and 2013, a series of art projects will take place on and around Maasvlakte 2. The Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Foundation Art and Public Space (SKOR) have agreed to set aside a joint € 500,000 for this.

The Project Organization Maasvlakte 2 and the Next Generation Infrastructures Foundation undersigned a cooperation agreement for a period of five years under the title: Next Generation Port Infrastructure, powered by Maasvlakte 2.

A unique crane, the 'Blockbuster', is currently under construction. It will be used to position large concrete blocks as part of these sea defences. In this way, the construction of Maasvlakte 2 is entering a new phase.

Maasvlakte 2, the area of land reclamation that will enable the port of Rotterdam to expand, has virtually no history. Visual artist Marcel van Eeden (1965) has given Maasvlakte 2 its own legend in a drawn photographic story.

The construction of Maasvlakte 2, the land reclamation project in the North Sea that will enlarge the port of Rotterdam with 2,000 ha, is proceeding well. Two weeks ago, construction consortium PUMA shifted the largest amount of sand ever in one week in a land reclamation project.

On Sunday 17 January, the Yeoman Bontrup, the first ship carrying stones for the hard sea defences for Maasvlakte 2, was unloaded in Rotterdam.