Symbol of the reconstruction gets a new place on the Wilhelminapier

Date: Monday, May 18, 2026
Time: 14.30 hours
Location: Wierdsmaplein

The artwork The load carrier (1950) by Han Rehm is getting a new spot on the Wilhelminakade in the park at Wierdsmaplein. You are cordially invited to attend a festive moment on location on Monday, May 18, from 2:30 PM onwards, in honor of The load carrierThe program starts at 3:00 PM and is hosted by Ove Lucas, Director of CBK Rotterdam. He will be in conversation with Hilde Sennema, author of the book. With sleeves rolled up. A history of Rotterdam (2025). City Poet Benzokarim has been asked to write and recite a poem for this occasion. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to chat over a drink until 5:00 PM.

Following a number of initiatives, The load carrier Unveiled in late 2014 on the Wilhelminapier at Van der Vormplein amid great public interest and in the presence of Mayor Aboutaleb. It was a replica, donated to the Municipality of Rotterdam by the Steinweg company. In September 2025, the statue had to be moved to storage due to the start of construction of the De Sax residential tower. The load carrier It has been reinstalled in consultation with the Municipality of Rotterdam and can now be admired outdoors by everyone again. There is also an opportunity to sit by the statue in the park.

About the artwork
The load carrier It was originally located on the facade of the rebuilt warehouse De Eersteling on the Rijnhaven, owned by Pakhuismeesteren (which was later acquired by Steinweg). It was unveiled on September 2, 1950, by Mayor Pieter Oud. It served as a symbol for the completion of the reconstruction of the tank installation at the Eerste Petroleumhaven, the completion of the Celebes, Borneo, and Sumatra warehouses on the Wilhelminakade, and the renovation of De Eersteling – all owned by the Pakhuismeesteren company. When De Eersteling was demolished as part of the Kop van Zuid renovation project, it became The load carrier spared and relocated to the Waalhaven ZZ industrial estate near the main building of the owner, the Steinweg firm. In 2014, the replica, a donation from the Steinweg firm to the Municipality of Rotterdam, was given a place on the Wilhelminakade.

About the artist
Han Rehm (Rotterdam, 1908 – Rotterdam, 1970) studied art at Reading University in England, the Rotterdam Art Academy, and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. In 1930, he also pursued further studies in sculpture in Vienna. In 1935, he established his own studio in Kralingen. In addition to being a sculptor, he was active as a medallist. Han Rehm is also known in Rotterdam for the statue of the Olympic athlete. Fanny Blankers-Koen in Blijdorp.