PORT GUIDE 2012
Amsterdam: Europe’s
T
he port of Amsterdam, the fourth largest in Europe, is geared to handle virtually all types of cargo and ships. Cargo handling companies and terminal operators are flexible, their labour force is highly skilled, and stevedores, shipbrokers, logistics and distribution specialists are geared to provide a first class service.
Many Amsterdam terminal operators have recently expanded or invested in new terminal equipment to improve their performance and become even more competitive compared to other ports. Several advanced cargo handling systems have been adapted to the benefit of companies and clients alike. Among the highlights are United Stevedores Amsterdam (USA), a deepsea multipurpose container terminal and multimodal distribution centre, the VCK Scandia Terminal (Ro/Ro), the all-weather Waterland Terminal, ACT (Amsterdam Container Terminals) with its unique indented berth, the dry-bulk terminals with heavy duty gantries and floating cranes, the recently expanded tank farms, and the bustling cruise terminals. 10
December 2011
The ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam have jointly developed Portbase, a comprehensive Port Community System that is connected to the customs clearing system, immigration and other authorities. This is a superb example of how Amsterdam is leading the way in forward thinking.
THE ‘A’ PORTS The latest layout innovation for the Amsterdam port west of the city are the ‘A’ port basins, named after the world’s continents. On the Amerikahaven (America harbour) quays you will find container, liquid and dry bulk terminals. The Afrikahaven (Africa harbour) port basin was completed in 2001 and its size (1,900 m x 350 m with a 15.5 m depth) makes it suitable for tankers, bulk and container carriers. The total area of the site, including green areas, roads and other infrastructure, is more than 300 hectares. A quarter of this area has been reserved for new ventures such as the Rietlanden coal terminal. Vopak, the world’s largest independent tank storage operator, has completed a 35 ha and 1.2 million cbm tank farm on this location by October 2011, while the east quay has been reserved for future container handling.
Amsterdam Seaports