THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORT IN THE NETHERLANDS
 
 
 
 
Introduction:
 
 
This column is about one of the most valuable parts of the Dutch economy, the part that links all of the other economical subjects. I think you already know that I am talking about transport. Without transport, you cannot get anywhere. That is what it makes so important.
The Netherlands are chosen by many organisations from abroad, just because of their good facilities to transport goods. The most famous part of Holland at this subject may be Rotterdam, it is one of the biggest ports in the world. Besides our large dock, we also have a very good road-system and a large airport. In the following text, we will give you some information about the logistic-facilities in the Netherlands.
 
 
Navigation:
Important for the Dutch economy is our famous port Rotterdam. It has the task to transfer the goods from overseas onto smaller ships that can sail the rivers or onto trucks (transit). This activity creates a lot of work, also because many goods are worked up to more valuable goods. These activities have a lot of influence on the economy. The main part of the goods that arrive in Holland are moved to other countries like Germany. What this activity needs, is a good infrastructure. That means good roads, fast train-connections and big rivers. From this point of view, we can conclude that Rotterdam has all the necessary connections: - it has several motorway-connections - it has access to rivers - is has railway-transport possibilities - it has connection to an airport -   - 2.3.19
 
 


 


 


 

FROM FISHING PORT TO EUROPEAN MAINPORT

 
In the 14th century Rotterdam was still a fishing port situated on the river Rotte; six centuries later the biggest port in the world and the most important port for the continent of Europe. This development from fishing port to European Mainport rapidly accelerated during the past century. An important stimulus was the excavation of an open link with the North Sea: Rotterdam was then ready for its enormous growth. A brief look at the history of the port.    The first port activities began around 1328 with the construction of Oude Haven. Imports and exports of products soon drew attention to the small town and links were formed with ports in England and Portugal. Exports increased and twelve other harbours were constructed. Rotterdam expanded into a prosperous old Dutch port.

 

HOW DOES THE PORT ROTTERDAM DEVELOP? NEW DIVISIONS CAME, WHERE AND WHEN?
  We want to divide this subject in three periods. The first period is the years before 1955 and earlier. The second period is from 1955 till 1970. And the third and last period is from 1970 and later (until about 1995/1996). - The port Rotterdam exists a long time and in the beginning people made new  havens, like ‘the Maashaven’ and ‘the Lekhaven’ et cetera. But also ‘the  Waalhaven’, ‘the Eemhaven’, ‘the first petrolhaven’ and ‘the second petrolhaven’   were built before 1955. - From 1955 to 1970 a lot of new divisions came in Rotterdam mainport.  ‘The third, the sixth and the seventh petrolhaven’ were built. But also ‘the  Botlek’, ‘the Dintelhaven’, ‘the Beneluxhaven’, ‘the Hartelcanal’, ‘the Calandcanal’   and ‘the Beercanal’. All those new divisions came because Rotterdam had a new  priority, the port was now also used as industrial area. - After the seventies ‘the eighth petrolhaven’ was made and so was ‘the  Mississippihaven’ and ‘the Amazonehaven’ Those three new havens were made in  what we in Holland call: "the Maasvlakte". That’s a big area of 3000 hectares  next to the North Sea. In this area are also depots to clean the refuses of the  port Rotterdam.                  

 
 
Very light blue =
Light blue =
the water (the sea, the canals)
period before 1955 		 Dark blue =  
Very dark blue =
period from 1955 till 1970
period after 1970 (till 1995/1996)
 
  
1962: The biggest port in the world
 

In 1962 Rotterdam received a telegram of congratulations from the director of the Port of New York Authority, announcing that Rotterdam was now the biggest port in the world. Maritime transhipments then amounted to 96 million tonnes. 

 

1969: Deepening the Nieuwe Waterweg

 

Not only the harbour basins but also the access channel needed to be adapted to 

the steady increase in the size of ships. A number of oil companies had named a depth of up to 62 feet as a condition for investment in the Waterweg area. Following permission by the government, dredging work began. The project was completed in December 1969 when the first 62-footer (the Shell tanker "Melo") entered the port. The 62-foot depth was not the end however. In 1971 the channel was made suitable for ships of up to 65 feet and in 1975 for ships up to 68 feet. In the meantime the channel has been deepened to 72 feet. 

 
 

1967: The start of containerisation

 

In the mid-sixties, a container transhipment company (ECT) was established in Eemhaven, set up by a number of Rotterdam stevedores at the instigation of the Municipal Port Management. In 1967 the first containership, the US Fairland with 226 containers on board, called at this terminal. It was a first for Rotterdam since it was the first transatlantic crossing by a containership. 

 

1970-1985: Construction of the Maasvlakte

 

The Maasvlakte, the most westerly port complex, differed from previous projects in that it was not a case of converting land into water, but water into 

land. At this location, just off the coast, lay a sandbank, which was raised to the desired height with 170-million m3 sand from elsewhere in the port. The construction of the Maasvlakte extended the total area of the port of Rotterdam by 3000 hectares to 10,000 hectares. On the north side of the new port area an oil terminal was set up in which the different oil companies jointly participated. To the south, in Mississippihaven, came an ore and coal transhipment company. The container Transhipment Company ECT followed in 1984 with the construction of a new terminal. 

 

1985-1996: Further growth and distribution
 
 
Container handling on the Maasvlakte increased at a rapid tempo. In 1985 container transhipments totalled 2.7 million TEU (1 TEU = 20 feet container), while ten years later this number had doubled. Rotterdam acquired the same dominant position in Europe for containers as it already had for bulk cargo. Over the years Rotterdam's percentage in the Hamburg-Le Havre range remained constant at 40-42%. In order to strengthen its position as European mainport, three Distriparks were built from 1992 onwards. Globally operating companies can concentrate their European distribution activities at these locations. The last Distripark, next to the ECT container terminal on the Maasvlakte, was opened at the end of 1996.

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