Paal 83

In 2017, the Port of Rotterdam gained an unexpected new icon: Paal 83, an impressive observation tower on Landtong Rozenburg. Commissioned by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Mothership designed and realized this landmark — a structure that not only offers panoramic views but also tells a powerful story about sustainability, circularity, and the people who keep this harbor running.

Mothership developed the full concept, created the design, led the construction team, and managed both execution and project management. The design was inspired by a mooring post — a familiar sight in the harbor — which, recycled from the port’s own materials, was given a new life on land. Around this monumental pole, three staircases spiral upward like a ship’s rope, leading to a platform at the height where the waterline would normally be. There, at the top, visitors not only take in the breathtaking view but also discover the story of LNG, circularity, and the craftsmanship of the boatmen who moor the ships each day. Informational panels and a poem by city poet Derek Otte complete the experience.

Mothership translated the port’s sustainable ambitions into a work of art that quite literally rises above it all — a symbol of pride, innovation, and forward thinking. Since its inauguration, Paal 83 has become a popular destination for visitors, photographers, and harbor enthusiasts alike. The artwork was nominated for the National Steel Award and the Benelux Trophy for Hot-Dip Galvanizing, and is widely shared on social media as the lookout point of the Port of Rotterdam — a circular statement in steel, with a view toward the future.

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