To be honest the whole terminal area at Rotterdam is actually incorrect.
Yes the ships are moored against the fenders.
During departure the ship actually has a *very* strong wire attached at the stern (starboard side) this is left attached until the ship has completed over 65% to 70% of the turn around. This is used to stop the ship from drifting away from the berth. The reasoning behind this is because, the width of the river is 215m (this is the width prior to the P&O berth, where the berth is located there is more room. The ships are 215m long!), the reason that the berth has been put in the position it has is so that the ships have just enough room to turn whilst a ship is berthed directly opposite. Watching from the bridge there is not much room (circa 5m) between the bow of the P&O ship and the Stena ship berthed opposite.
It has been said that the Pride of Rotterdam (& Hull) are the largest ships that can be used without the Stena Line berth being decommisioned. Also the port authorities will not allow the ships to reverse to the wider portion and then turn around.
