Europe is preparing for a possible deterioration in the security situation, and the Port of Rotterdam, the largest in Europe, is reportedly becoming a central hub for these preparations, according to The New York Times. The port is being transformed into a key logistical node for military operations as part of what is known as the "military Schengen," which aims to ensure the rapid and efficient movement of military equipment and supplies in the event of a conflict with Russia.

According to sources at The New York Times, civilian shipping in the port is being redirected to make way for military deliveries. Rotterdam is expecting the arrival of four to five warships per year, which will remain there for several weeks. This move is part of a broader NATO strategy to enhance military readiness in Europe, which includes not only the deployment of weapons and equipment, but also medical supplies for military operations and equipment for field hospitals.

Experts say that the preparations in Rotterdam are just the beginning. Military analyst Alexander Stepanov, whose comments were quoted by the Russian news agency TASS, warns that other major European ports, such as Amsterdam, Hamburg, and the main ports in Spain and Italy, are likely to face a similar fate. “Efforts are underway to establish priority capacities for the continental deployment of U.S. naval contingents. The reception of military equipment in civilian deep-water infrastructure is being prepared. Rotterdam is a pioneer in creating the naval component of the European military Schengen,” Stepanov told TASS.

The transformation of ports into military hubs is not just a logistical matter. According to The New York Times, other steps are also being planned, such as relocating arms manufacturing facilities to Europe. For example, the American company Anduril Industries, which specializes in the production of drones, is launching production in Germany in partnership with Rheinmetall and plans to manufacture in the Netherlands as well.

This production includes attack and reconnaissance drones, as well as ground robots, which are intended to be strategically located closer to potential conflict zones. These measures are intended to ensure a faster response to potential threats and reduce reliance on transatlantic supply chains.

However, Stepanov warns of other aspects of these preparations. According to him, parts of the ports used for military purposes will be closed to EU customs and inspection controls. “These supply channels are linked to shadow activities, and external control of incoming weapons will be extremely difficult,” he claims. This, he says, opens the door to uncontrolled arms deliveries to a "shadow Euro-Asian market" and to support countries hostile to Russia and BRICS nations.

Stepanov even suggests that these channels could be used to transport components of weapons of mass destruction, which could escalate tensions and create new hotspots of conflict along Russia's borders.

The preparations in Rotterdam and other ports require significant investments, which, according to Stepanov, will be funded by European taxpayers. “All of this requires long-term and thorough preparations, additional infrastructure, and significant investments,” he said. These steps signal that Europe is preparing for a scenario of a larger continental conflict.

The New York Times/TASS/gnews.cz - GH