For centuries, the Port of Rotterdam was a global gateway focused on efficiency and profit. Today, it is at the center of a complex geopolitical puzzle where trade, security, and energy independence collide.

In this episode, Frans-Paul van der Putten, a leading expert on geopolitics and author of China Resurrected, joins us to explore how Europe’s largest port is navigating a challenging world. We discuss the lessons in resilience learned from the war in Ukraine, the disruptions in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the challenge of maintaining strategic control over infrastructure amid growing global competition.

Key Topics:

• From Commerce to Security: Rotterdam’s evolution into a pillar of European safety.
• The China Factor: Navigating terminal investments without losing sovereignty.
• Global Resilience: Adapting to chokepoints and the US-China rivalry.
• His book is China Resurrected: How history shapes China’s behavior as a modern superpower.

About the Guest:

Frans-Paul van der Putten is a geopolitical analyst, founder of ChinaGeopolitics, and Senior Research Associate at the Clingendael Institute. He specializes in China-Europe relations and economic security.

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