Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam is a research university in social sciences with a strong focus on current social issues. Its actual strategic aim is impact and relevance. The main research of the university is focused on economics, business management, organization and policy in both the public and private sectors. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2014, Erasmus University ranks 38th in the field of Economics and Econometrics; within Europe, the Erasmus ranks 10th in this research field. Erasmus' Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) enjoys a consistent top 10 position in the Financial Times 2013 European Business School ranking. EUR's history dates back to 1913, the year in which the Netherlands School of Commerce was founded through a private initiative with broad support from the Rotterdam business community.

With the large main port of Rotterdam in its backyard and with The Netherlands as trading and logistics hub for Europe, the university traditionally has a strong focus on maritime and port economics. More than 30 scholars are involved in port studies and maritime studies working at different departments of the University. The Erasmus SmartPort Rotterdam initiative combines all those researchers. Erasmus SmartPort Rotterdam is a cooperation with the Rotterdam business community, Rotterdam Port Authorities, Erasmus University and TU Delft. The main aim is to strengthen the academic research on ports and maritime issues through stimulating the interactions between the different disciplines at the university, between the university and the business community/policymakers and between the EUR and other universities, like the Delft University of Technology, developing its 'Mainport and Metropolitan Program'. In this "powerhouse" of business and academic know-how, relevant topics are researched in an academically sound way and high-level academic education is provided.

Technical University Delft

The Delft University of Technology collaborates with a large number of other educational and research institutes within the Netherlands and abroad and has a reputation for high-quality teaching and research. TU Delft has extensive contacts with governments, trade organisations, consultancies, the industry and small and medium-sized companies. TU Delft's mission is to make a significant contribution towards a sustainable society for the twenty-first century by conducting groundbreaking scientific and technological research which is acknowledged as world-class, by training scientists and engineers with a genuine commitment to society and by helping to translate knowledge into technological innovations and activity with both economic and social value. The university is in close contact with the Port of Rotterdam, and in particular hosts, the Port Research Centre, and a considerable number of professors focus on port-related research. The Port Research Centre Rotterdam-Delft is enthusiastic cooperation between the Port of Rotterdam and the Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. Its mission is to generate, coordinate and execute innovative, strategic research projects aimed at application in the Rotterdam port and industrial area, and to improve its international competitive position. The Port Research Centre has intensified collaboration with Erasmus Smart Port Rotterdam and the main stakeholders in the port to help create a port knowledge cluster.

Supporting Parties

• Rotterdam Maritime Board: an independent advisory body, with a board that consists of 35 industry experts and represents the full width of the regional maritime industry. They deliver advice tot regional administrators on topics that help to improve the business climate, marketing, promotion and acquisition of the most complete and competitive maritime cluster of Europe.
• Port of Rotterdam: the largest seaport in Europe as well as the largest port outside of Asia.
• Municipality of Rotterdam
• Deltalinqs: the entrepreneurs' association of the port and industrial companies in the Mainport Rotterdam. Deltalinqs focuses on strengthening the international competitive position and the sustainable development of the Rotterdam port and industrial area. 
• SmartPort Rotterdam: a neutral knowledge platform, stimulating alliances, financing scientific research and provides public knowledge dissemination. The aim is to speed up innovations in the port of Rotterdam.
• Maritime by Holland: providing information for everything that has to do with maritime industries.
• Netherlands Maritime Technology: trade association which is the first port of call for and primary representative of the Dutch maritime technology sector.