Maasvlakte 2 is the expansion of the port of Rotterdam. A new top European location for port activities and industry is being created immediately to the west of the present port and industrial area. When the construction of Maasvlakte 2 began in 2008, the sea there was 17 metres deep. Maasvlakte 2 existed on no map, except for the design drawings. Maasvlakte 2 will soon encompass 1,000 hectares net of industrial ground, located directly on deep water.