Port History
“Rotterdam” is first mentioned in historical records in 1283, when the mouth of the Rotte River was drained to form a small tract of reclaimed land. Chartered as a fishing village in 1328, the Port of Rotterdam became a major port in 1340 when the village dug a canal to the Schie. Dutch commerce grew rapidly in the 17th Century, and the Port of Rotterdam’s harbors were expanded to accommodate travelers and merchants journeying to and from the newly-discovered Indies.
Waal Harbor was built between 1906 and 1930, when the Port of Rotterdam became the world’s largest dredged harbor. The Germans destroyed more than a third of the Port of Rotterdam during World War II, but it rose from the ashes with a totally city featuring architecture that has attracted many tourists ever since.
Port Commerce
Today, the Port of Rotterdam is the largest industrial hub in Europe, serving a market of 450 million consumers. The Port of Rotterdam links more than 500 scheduled services with over 1000 worldwide ports worldwide, providing facilities for the shipment of 370 million tons of cargo in 2005. Located directly on the North Sea, the 75-foot deep Port of Rotterdam allows the largest ocean-going vessels unrestricted access 24 hours a day every day.
The Port of Rotterdam’s industrial area stretches over 25 miles and contains an endless array of facilities for industry, cargo handling and distribution, and auxiliary services. Today’s high-profile project is the construction of Maasvlakte 2, a new industrial zone and port providing 1000 hectares of industrial sites with direct access to the deep waters of the North Sea.
Cruising and Travel
The Port of Rotterdam is an international tourist magnet with many festivals and events to entertain its guests. Its beautiful architecture and historic environment delight cruise travelers. The Cruise Terminal Rotterdam and Café Rotterdam are well known for its excellent view of the Rotterdam skyline and the Erasmus Bridge. Many cruise lines find berth in The Port of Rotterdam.
|
