The history of the Netherlands second largest port stretches back all the way to the 13th century. Amsterdam became the major shipping port for the world’s largest trading company, the Dutch East India Company, in the 17th century. Before the city became one of the world’s most important ports for international shipping services, it was originally a small fishing village. The development of international trade, especially the trade of diamonds, led to a powerful port and the expansion of the capital city. In addition to being a financial center of the Netherlands, the city is also known as a major cultural center within Europe.
Following the Dutch Golden Age of international trade and the expansion of the country’s largest port in Rotterdam, the port of Amsterdam still held its importance as a major bulk and roll-on / roll-off port. The port is the 4th largest transshipment port for cargo throughout Western Europe and it is the world’s largest petrol and cocoa port. Today more than 95 million tons of cargo passes through Amsterdam, and overseas car shipping services into the Netherlands arrives through the port of Amsterdam on roll-on / roll-off vessels. Major rail connections to all major European countries is available through Amsterdam and short sea connections to Portugal, Spain, England, Germany, Italy and Scandinavia are also available. Inland shipping and the transport of construction equipment shipping services is available from the port over the road to inland locations in France, Australia, Germany, and Switzerland.
Some notable features of the port of Amsterdam, Netherlands:
- In addition to handling container and roll-on / roll-off cargo, the port of Amsterdam has extensive facilities created to further process certain cargo. Oil products are mixed into petrol and various vegetable, soil and grain oils are processed into semi-finished products at the port.
- Amsterdam is home to the world’s first all weather terminal capable of handling weather sensitive international shipping services including the handling of paper and aluminum despite the outside temperature and weather condition.
- The port of Amsterdam has more distribution centers than any other region in Europe.
- The vast majority of international automobile shipping and construction equipment shipping services on roll-on / roll-off shipping vessels are shipped to the Netherlands through the port of Amsterdam.
For more information about the port of Amsterdam, Netherlands please visit: http://www.portofamsterdam.com/. To receive more information about our international shipping services or to receive an international shipping quote to the Netherlands (Holland), please visit our rates request pages.
