The seaport of Rotterdam is the most grandiose. Netherlands. Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe Seaport of Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe. From 1962 to 1986 it was the largest port in the world, and since 2004, Asian ports such as Singapore and Shanghai have taken the lead in the world, taking the palm from Rotterdam. According to 2004 data, Rotterdam is the seventh port in the world in terms of the number of containers handled (TEU).

It is one of the largest ports in the world, located in the city of Rotterdam, South Holland, the Netherlands, located at the mouth of the Rhine. The area of ​​the port in Rotterdam is 105 square kilometers, it is 40 kilometers long. It is located on the banks of the Kalandkanal, the extensions of the Nieuwe-Maas Nieuwe-Waterweg and Scheur, as well as on the Maasvlakt embankment area, which opens into the North Sea.

The Port of Rotterdam consists of a historic port area in the city center, which includes Delfshaven; complex Maaskhaven / Rheinhaven / Feyenoord; harbors around Nieuw-Matenesse; Waalhaven; Vondelingenplat; Emhaven; Botlek; Europort.

It began to develop especially intensively in the second half??? century, due to the emergence of large-scale industry in the Ruhr basin. Heavily damaged during the Second World War, today Rotterdam handles huge cargo flows, the basis of which are oil and petroleum products.

The most significant sector of activity of the Port of Rotterdam is the petrochemical industry and general cargo handling. The port is the most important center for handling bulk, liquid, container and other cargo both within the European continent and around the world. In addition to sea transport, communication with Rotterdam is established by road, rail, river and air transport. Since 2000, construction began on the Betuweroute high-speed freight railway connecting Rotterdam with Germany. The rivers Meuse and Rhine provide connections with the interior of the continent. The largest oil refineries are located in the eastern part of the port.

The port of Rotterdam, located in the Netherlands, is jokingly called the largest port in Germany. However, these words can be applied not only to Germany, but also to a number of other countries, for example, Austria, Switzerland: the largest part of the cargo delivered to these states passes through the most important “gateway to Europe”. However, Rotterdam itself can hardly be called Dutch: the port is losing its nationality - today here at every step you can meet trade representatives from almost all countries of the world, employees of logistics complexes of global corporations, Chinese sailors, Russian bunkerers...

Located on the Rhine River, the port has one important advantage over its competitors - stevedoring companies located on the European coast between Hamburg and Le Havre: the close proximity of the transshipment terminals to the North Sea. Competitors, before reaching the pier, need to travel a long distance along a river or canal deep into the continent.

The unique location of the port, which predetermined its success, lies in the fact that the rivers flowing through the territories of different countries are excellent for transporting goods to the central and western parts of Europe. And the landscape of the area made possible intensive road and rail traffic, which is extremely important with high freight turnover.

Of course, a visit to Rotterdam would be incomplete without visiting the port on a special vessel. In just 75 minutes you can get acquainted with life in Rotterdam on and around the water. An unforgettable experience will be left behind by visiting the shipyards, piers and docks in the immediate vicinity; you will become a participant in the busy movement of sea and river ships along the river that brought glory to Rotterdam. There will also be an opportunity to explore the surrounding area of ​​Rotterdam during an exciting excursion along the many rivers and fairways that exist in the area. During the journey, you can see how the port gradually expands and goes out to the sea, where the ships become larger and larger. In a short time you will be enriched with a real “world” impression!

The seaport of Rotterdam is sometimes called the main port of Germany. And this really is the case. For Central and Southern Germany, Rotterdam is essentially the closest port, and accordingly German businessmen take full advantage of this opportunity. And thanks in no small part to German products, the port of Rotterdam ranks fourth in the list of largest ports in the world after Shanghai, Singapore and Ningbo. In 2010, 430 million tons of cargo passed through the port. Moreover, the main role in transportation through Rotterdam is given to the transportation of non-packaged cargo (raw materials, ore, coal, sand) and cargo in containers. The port territory is occupied, first of all, by various warehouses and offices of companies, including Russian ones, which also use the services of this infrastructure facility.

If you delve into history, the first mention of the port of Rotterdam dates back to the Middle Ages, when it began as a transshipment point. It was at that time that the first harbors of Oude Haven, Haringvliet and Leuvehaven appeared in Rotterdam. In the 19th century, the port had a problem - silting of the rivers, which made it difficult to go to sea and back. And it is possible that this unpleasant event would have put an end to this grandiose facility today, but as they say, the stars favored the city. The rapid development of industry in the Ruhr region required the presence of a port with large transshipment capabilities. And to solve these problems, in 1830, funds were found to build the Kanaal door Voorne canal.

Since the amount of cargo was constantly growing, in 1872 another canal, the Nieuwe Waterweg, was built, which connected the city directly to the sea. The appearance of the canal led to the emergence of new harbors on the island of IJsselmonde, which is now part of Rotterdam. It was then, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, that the harbors of Koningshaven, Binnenhaven, Entrepothaven and Spoorweghaven were founded there. In subsequent years, the number of harbors grew along with the increase in the volume of cargo passing through the port of Rotterdam. During the Second World War, the port of Rotterdam was heavily damaged. But the war ended and the quickly restored German economy again demanded the presence of a large port near the industrial Ruhr. And if you need it, you will get it. The port was not just restored, it was practically rebuilt, while meeting the most modern requirements for maritime transportation.

The blockade of the Suez Canal in 1956 demanded an increase in tanker traffic, and the port of Rotterdam, which in 1958 opened one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world (Europoort), was in the right place at the right time. Europort is still used today for the transshipment of crude oil. From 1962 to 2004, in no small part due to timely previous achievements, the port of Rotterdam was the largest in the world. Today it is content with the status of the largest European one. The port area covers 10 thousand hectares, and its length is about 40 km. The port is located on the shores of the North Sea and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It receives 30 thousand sea vessels per year.

Of course, it has an excellent transport infrastructure connecting it to the rest of Europe. The dozens of harbors available handle large cargo flows, the bulk of which are oil and petroleum products, as well as ores and fossil coal. Excursions around the port are available. Therefore, those who want to take a look at Europe's largest port can take advantage of this opportunity. You can get there by land transport, as well as use the services of a water taxi or water bus. There is also the opportunity to take boat excursions around the port.

There are several options for a sea excursion - from one hour to 2.5 hours. They all start at the pier of the Erasmus Bridge. During the tour, from aboard a modern pleasure boat, you can observe the work of the piers and docks of the port of Rotterdam, see its modern warehouses and thousands of containers arriving from all over the world, and unloading and loading in Rotterdam every day. In addition, you can personally observe the work of ferries, shipyards and ship repair facilities, and much more interesting things.

Rotterdam (Netherlands) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Rotterdam with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Rotterdam (Netherlands)

Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe and the second largest city in the Netherlands. Located in South Holland near the North Sea on the Nieuwe Maas River, formed by the delta of the Rhine and the Maas River. Rotterdam is one of the most modern cities in Holland and one of the most dynamic in Europe. It is famous for its modern architecture, nightlife and shopping, avant-garde art and cuisine.

The climate is temperate maritime with fairly cool summers and mild winters. The average temperature of the warm period is often below 20 degrees, while in winter it rarely drops below zero.

Practical information

1. Population - 639.5 thousand inhabitants
2. Area - 206.4 sq. km
3. Language - Dutch.
4. Currency - euro.
5. Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
6. Visa - Schengen.
7. The main shopping streets are Lijnbaan and Hoogstraat, which are pedestrianized. Alternative shopping can be done at Botersloot and Pannekoekstraat. These streets are located east of the Market Square.
8. There are many pubs, bars and restaurants in the Oude Haven (old harbour) and Blaak areas.

Story

Rotterdam was founded in the 13th century at a dam where the small river Rotte flows into the Meuse. The name of the city can be translated as “dam on Rotta”. Already in 1340 the settlement received city rights. Thanks to its advantageous location, Rotterdam quickly became one of the largest Dutch ports. In 1360, city walls began to be built.

In 1572, Rotterdam was sacked by the Spanish. At the beginning of the 17th century a new large port was built. Very quickly, Rotterdam turned into one of the most important and largest ports in Europe, which it remains to this day. At the beginning of the 20th century, the city's fortifications, which held back the city's growth, were demolished. During the First World War, Rotterdam acted as a base for the intelligence services. In May 1940, German troops bombed the city center.

How to get there

The airport is located 6 km north of Rotterdam. There are direct flights to major cities in Germany, Spain, Italy and England. Amsterdam Schiphol is 58 km away and offers more destinations. You can get to the city from the airport by bus 50.

Rotterdam is a major railway hub. There are high-speed trains from Antwerp, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Paris. The city is also distinguished by good automobile accessibility.

Public transport is represented by metro, buses and trams. The Amsterdam metro consists of 5 lines. There is a unified travel system. A day card, which gives access to all public transport, costs 10 euros.

Attractions

There are not many historical and cultural monuments to be found in Rotterdam. The main attractions were created relatively recently.

Kijk-Kubus - cubic houses, designed by architect Piet Blom. They are a museum.

De Markthal is a market combined with residential apartments. Because of the paintings on the walls and ceiling, it is often called the “Dutch Sistine Chapel.”

The Ruined City (De Verwoeste Stad) is a 1953 memorial reminiscent of the destruction of World War II.

The Erasmus Bridge is one of the symbols of Rotterdam, an 800-meter bridge that connects the northern and southern parts of the city.

Rotterdam Tower is the tallest building in Rotterdam (185 m), built in the 60s of the 20th century. There is an observation deck at an altitude of 100 meters.

Central Station is the gateway to Amsterdam and a building of interesting architecture.

De Brug is the four-story head office of Unilever Bestfoods Nederland, built as a bridge structure over the old factory.

Delta Museum - reconstruction of an 18th century battleship.

The White House is a 45-meter office building from the late 19th century, the first skyscraper in Europe. Instead of a steel structure, thick load-bearing brick walls were used.

Delfshaven is a picturesque marina, a corner of old Rotterdam.

Laurenskerk Church is a late Gothic church from the 15th century, one of the few medieval landmarks in Rotterdam.

The Maastoren skyscraper is the tallest building in the Netherlands. The height of the building is 164 meters.

The New Delft Gate is a steel structure built in 1995.

The Oude- of Pelgrimvaderskerk is a historic church in Rotterdam.

The Schielandshuis is the only surviving 17th century building.

The Town Hall is a beautiful Romanesque and Art Deco building built in the early 20th century.

Willemsbrug is one of the symbols of Rotterdam, a beautiful red bridge that connects the city center and its northern part.

Kinderdijk is a collection of nineteen historic windmills that are one of the most important Dutch monuments and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located near the village of Kinderdijk, 23 km from Rotterdam.

The Port of Rotterdam is one of the largest in the world and the largest in Europe. It is located in the Netherlands and, according to 2011 data, is the tenth largest in the world in terms of the number of containers processed there. The port is located in the Rhine delta, 33 kilometers from the North Sea, to which Rotterdam is connected by a deep-water canal accessible for the passage of large ocean liners.

The Port of Rotterdam has 50 basins that can accommodate 300 ships at a time. The length of the mooring front is about 57 kilometers and has a depth of up to 22 meters.

The Port of Rotterdam handles more than 50% of the Netherlands' foreign trade turnover and 75% of all cargo transport along the Rhine.

Oil accounts for about 70% of the port's turnover and is the main source of turnover. Therefore, there are 5 oil harbors with 68 berths, of which 14 are capable of receiving tankers with a carrying capacity of up to 280 thousand tons.

The Port of Rotterdam annually handles more than 30,000 sea and 250,000 river vessels. However, it cannot be said that the port is only cargo. Passenger transportation also occupies a large place in it. From here a ferry departs for Hull and takes 12 hours on the journey. Also, a huge number of cruise ships pass through the port of Rotterdam, making a stop there.

Taxi, transfer to the port of Rotterdam

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Rotterdam is a major Dutch port and naval base in the Rhine Delta, 33 km from the North Sea. A deep-water canal accessible to large ocean-going ships connects Rotterdam to the North Sea. In total, the port has about 50 swimming pools, where 300 sea vessels can be processed simultaneously. The length of the berthing front is about 57 km with a depth of up to 22 m. Over 50% of the total foreign trade turnover of Holland, about 75% of all cargo transportation along the Rhine, passes through Rotterdam. The main item of turnover of the port of Rotterdam is oil (over 70%). In addition, sea cargo such as ore, coal, grain, and timber are imported into the port; exported - industrial equipment, mineral fertilizers.

Port of Rotterdam on the map

The total turnover of maritime cargo transportation of the port of Rotterdam is 257 million tons, the traffic flow is over 30 thousand sea and 250 thousand river vessels per year. The port is equipped with modern mechanisms for loading and unloading cargo, has warehouses, open cargo areas, oil storage facilities, the total capacity of which reaches 27 million tons. The port has 5 oil harbors with 68 berths, 14 of which accept tankers with a carrying capacity of up to 280 thousand tons. Provided for in the future accept tankers with a carrying capacity of 400-500 thousand tons. 8 shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises of the port of Rotterdam, with 8 dry and 25 floating docks, the largest of which has dimensions of 405 X 90 X 10.85 m, ensure the construction and repair of ships with a carrying capacity of up to 500 thousand t and ships up to and including aircraft carriers. The port of Rotterdam is home to ships and marine units of the Dutch Navy, as well as ships of the navies of other NATO countries.