List of Top Sea ports in Netherlands

The Netherlands is a prominent European nation with both land and sea borders. It has a developed economy and has played a robust role in the European economic scenario for a long time. The country is ranked among the top in the Global Enabling Trade Report and the Global Innovation Index. The Netherlands economy is the world’s 17^th largest. As far as per capita GDP is concerned, it ranks 10^th.

Believe it or not, but the Netherlands is among the world’s top 10 exporters. The largest industrial space is occupied by foodstuffs. Other industries of repute are chemicals, machinery, metallurgy, electrical goods, the service sector, and tourism. There are many Dutch companies that have become huge MNCs like ABN AMRO, Rabobank, Royal Dutch Shell, Phillips, etc.

Being such a developed economy that is heavily into both exports and imports, there is a strong network of ports in The Netherlands. Ports form an integral part of any economy – sea, air, and land. Thousands of cargo ships enter and leave seaports around the world every day, carrying millions of tons of cargo. The Netherlands handles a large part of it as it has Europe’s largest port Rotterdam, in it. Besides that, there are several other ports of repute in the country.

Here are the top seaports of Netherlands in 2020: 

Port of Alkmaar

Located by the historic city of Alkmaar, the Port of Alkmaar is among the most popular sea ports of Netherlands. Several hundreds of vessels arrive and leave the port every month, handling diverse cargo.

Port Authority:  Gemeente Alkmaar
Address: Public Works Department, Mallegatsplein 10, Alkmaar 1800 BC, Netherlands
Phone: +31 72 548 8888
Fax: 31 72 548 8777

Port of Amsterdam

The Port of Amsterdam serves as a hub of logistics in the region. It is also an industrial service provider to the city. The history of the port goes back to more than a century.  The focus is on making the port a focus area for commercial sea traffic in and around The Netherlands. And it is on its way. In 2019, the port’s turnover was almost 170 million Euros. The port provides facilities like sea and inland shipping, passenger vessels, yachting, and super yachting.

Port Authority: Amsterdam Port Authority
Address: De Ruyterkade 7, 1013 AA Amsterdam, Postbus 19406, Amsterdam 1000 GK, Netherlands
Phone: +31 20 – 5234 500
Fax: +31 20 – 6209 821
Email: marketing@amsterdamports.nl

Port of Breskens

Among the smaller ports of The Netherlands, the Port of Breskens handles 15-20 ships per day on an average. The types of cargos handled are a mixture of different types.

Port Authority:   Breskens Port Authority
Address: Oosthavendam 1, Breskens 4511 AZ, Netherlands
Phone: +31 117 381902
Fax: +31 117 383931

Port of Den Helder

The history of the port goes back to more than 500 years. It has always held an important position in The Netherlands maritime commercial activities. The port is the center of the logistics center in the North Sea area of The Netherlands. The Port of Den Helder handles a range of industrial cargo and drilling equipment.

Port Authority: Municipal Port Authority
Address: Het Nieuwe Diep 33, Den Helder 1781 AD, Netherlands
Phone: +31 223 613955
Fax: 31 223 627780

Port of Dordrecht

This is the most landward seaport in the entire country. With a water depth of close to 10 meters, both inland and sea-going vessels can access the Port of Dordrecht easily. With strong road and rail connectivity, multiple business activities related to ports take place here. Some examples are logistics services, bulk cargo handling, maritime manufacturing, etc. The port facilities are being further upgraded to make it even more attractive.

Port Authority:   Dordrecht Port Authority
Address: Merwekade 56, Dordrecht 3311 TH, Netherlands
Phone: 31 78 639 7878
Fax: 31 78 639 7879
Email: hvndordt@worldonline.nl

Port of Harlingen

Located in the northern part of The Netherlands, the Port of Harlingen plays an important role as a logistics hub of the entire region. The port is certified by EcoPorts. The port authorities are striving to make the Port of Harlingen the logistics and maritime hub of Northern Netherlands by 2035. The average depth of the port varies between 7 and 8 meters.

Port Authority: Gemeente Harlingen
Address: Postbus 10000, Harlingen 8860 HA, Netherlands
Phone: 31 517 492222
Fax: 31 517 492222
Email: gemeentebestuur@harlingen.nl

Port of Moerdijk

This one is the Netherland’s 4^th largest seaport. The versatile port is used to handle a large variety of cargo. From manufacturing companies to logistics service providers and chemical companies, more than 400 companies operate out of the area. More than 2,000 ocean-going liners and 13,000 inland vessels use the port facilities every year. With multi-modal transport links and an excellent infrastructure, the Port of Moerdijik is becoming the port of choice for an increasing number of shipping companies with time.

Port Authority: Moerdijk Port Authority
Address: Havenschap Moerdijk, Plaza 3, Moerdijk, SL NL-4782, Netherlands
Phone: 31-0 168 – 38 88 88
Fax: 31-0168 – 38 88 99
Email: info@havenschapmoerdijk.n

Port of Rotterdam

The crowning glory of all the ports of The Netherlands, the Port of Rotterdam is the largest seaport of Europe and also among the busiest in the world. The port handles several hundred million tonnes of cargo annually. In 2019, close to 30,000 ocean-going vessels and almost 100,000 inland waterway vessels availed of the port’s services. With a total length of 42 km and a maximum depth of 24 meters, the Port of Rotterdam is the jewel in the crown of ports of The Netherlands.

Port Authority:   otterdam Municipal Port Management
Address: P.O. Box 6622, Rotterdam 3002 AP, Netherlands
Phone: 31 (0) 10 252 10 10
Fax: 31 (0) 10 252 10 20
Email: info@portmanagement.com

Zeeland Seaports

Within the European seaports, Zeeland stands at no. 8 in terms of freight traffic. It handles goods of multiple hues throughout the year. It has a maximum depth of 17 meters and hence, is used by thousands of ocean-going liners round the year. Many inland vessels also avail of its services. The multimodal port also offers excellent business opportunities to various types of organizations, owing to its strategic location and trade-friendly policies.

Port Authority: Zeeland Seaports
Address: Postbox 132, Terneuzen, AC 4530, Netherlands
Phone: 31 (0) 115 647400
Fax: 31 (0) 115 647500

Port of Vlaardingen

The harbor in the Port of Vlaardingen can accommodate ships with 65,000 DWT having a draft of almost 12 meters. It handles cargos, like ore, phosphate, coal, ferroalloys, pig iron, etc. The largest harbor in the port, Vulcaanhaven, covers a water surface of almost 165,000 sq mt. The sea port is the 7^th largest port of the Netherlands.

Port Authority: Vlaardingen Port Authority
Address: Postbus 141, Harbour No 660, Vlaardingen 3130 AC, Netherlands
Phone: 31 10 434 4700
Fax: 31 10 434 4373
Email: havenkantoor@vlaardingen.nl

Quick Overview of Top 10 Seaports in the Netherlands