Port of Amsterdam

For the Jacques Brel song, see Amsterdam (Jacques Brel song).
Port of Amsterdam
Location
Country Netherlands
Location Amsterdam
Coordinates 52°24′43″N 4°48′28″E / 52.4120°N 4.8079°E / 52.4120; 4.8079
Details
Opened 13th century
Operated by NV Haven Amsterdam[1]
Owned by Amsterdam[1]
Size of harbor 620 ha (1,500 acres)[2]
Land area 1,995 ha (4,930 acres)[2]
Employees 60.000 (2015)[3]
President & CEO Dertje Meijer[3]
Statistics
Vessel arrivals Decrease 8,567 sea ships (2014)[3]
Annual cargo tonnage Increase 97.4 million tons (2014)[3]
Annual container volume Decrease 45.376 TEU (2014)
Passenger traffic Increase 304,149 by sea (2011)[4]
Increase 315,589 by river (2014)[3]
Annual revenue Increase €133.0 million (2011)[3]
Net income Increase €42.6 million (2011)[3]
Website
www.portofamsterdam.com

The port of Amsterdam (Dutch: Haven van Amsterdam) is a seaport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It is the 4th port in Europe by metric tonnes of cargo. The port is located on the bank of a former bay named the IJ and the North Sea Canal, with which it is connected to the North Sea. The port was first used in the 13th century and was one of the main ports of the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century. Today, the port of Amsterdam is the second largest port in the Netherlands, the largest being the Port of Rotterdam. In 2014, the port of Amsterdam had a cargo throughput of 97.4 million tons, most of which was bulk cargo.[3]

History

The Harbour in Amsterdam (1630) by Hendrick Cornelisz Vroom

The first port activities in Amsterdam date back to the 13th century. The port was first mentioned in the year 1342, when the city of Amsterdam received city rights.[5]

In the Dutch Golden Age the port was one of the main harbours of the Dutch East India Company.[5]

The North Holland Canal, that connects Amsterdam to Den Helder was dug between 1819 and 1824. The North Sea Canal, that connects Amsterdam to IJmuiden, was dug between 1865 and 1876.[5]

Geography

A satellite photo of the port of Amsterdam
North Sea Canal, Afrikahaven, Amerikahaven and Westhaven
Westhaven

The port of Amsterdam is located on the banks of the North Sea Canal and the IJ. The port is connected to the North Sea through the North Sea Canal, to Den Helder through the North Holland Canal, to the Markermeer through the IJ and the IJmeer, and to the Rhine through the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal.

In total, the port comprises 620 ha (1,500 acres) of waterways and 1,995 ha (4,930 acres) of land area, including port estates, quays, roads, railway tracks, ditches and green space.[2]

The port comprises several harbour areas, which are part of the boroughs (Dutch: stadsdelen) Westpoort, Westerpark, Centrum, and Zeeburg. From west to east the areas are:[6]

Business operations

In terms of cargo throughput, the port of Amsterdam is the second largest port of the Netherlands after the port of Rotterdam.[7]

In 2008, 6,029 sea vessels visited the port of Amsterdam, with a cargo throughput of 75.8 million tons, most of which was bulk cargo. That same year, the total container volume was 435,129 TEU. Both the number of vessels and the bulk cargo and container throughput increased compared to 2007.[8]

In 2008, the total revenue was € 125.3 million and the net income € 45.0 million. This is a minor decrease compared to the revenue and income in 2007.[8]

In 2008, the port itself had 361 employees, but the number of indirect employees is circa 55,000.[8] On 7 July 2009, Mrs. Dertje Meijer was appointed as the director of the port by the government of Amsterdam.[9]

Cruiseport

The Port of Amsterdam is the 3th biggest Cruiseport in Europe with 140 Sea Cruise ships and 1500 river cruise ships, Almost 700.000 cruise passengers are visiting Amsterdam by Cruise. In September 2015, the MSC Splendida visited Amsterdam, with its 333.33 meters long and 38 meters wide, it was the biggest cruise ship ever in Amsterdam. It also has won the price for the International Cruise port of the year in 2015. Amsterdam has 2 Cruise Terminals: the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam in the city center, and one after the locks in IJmuiden. Amsterdam is also the homeport for the Koningsdam, the new ship from the Holland americaline.

International cooperation

The port of Amsterdam has a connection with the ports of the following cities:[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Frequently Asked Questions, Port of Amsterdam, 2013. Retrieved on 2013-05-21.
  2. 1 2 3 Factsheet Sites & space, Port of Amsterdam, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Annual Report 2011, Port of Amsterdam, 2012. Retrieved on 2013-05-21.
  4. ↑ Port of Amsterdam, annual report 2014
  5. 1 2 3 The port of Amsterdam. Port of Amsterdam. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  6. ↑ Portmap. Port of Amsterdam. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  7. ↑ (Dutch) Jaarverslag 2008. Nationale Havenraad. Retrieved on 2009-07-23.
  8. 1 2 3 Annual report 2008. Port of Amsterdam. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  9. ↑ Dertje Meijer, new director Port of Amsterdam. Port of Amsterdam. Retrieved on 2009-07-17.
  10. ↑ Bureau Internationale Betrekkingen. City of Amsterdam. Retrieved on 2009-07-01.
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