Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe. Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe Seaport of Rotterdam

The presence of port cities on the territory of a country improves its economy. Located in the Netherlands largest port world - Rotterdam. Read about it in the article.

Description

Describing this port, one cannot help but say that its area measures ten thousand hectares. Its total length is about forty thousand meters, or 40 kilometers. Its location is the delta of three rivers connected to the North Sea. It is also connected to a river called Nivier Meuse. You can visit it any day of the week. It's open every minute. In total, more than thirty thousand ships moor here every year - it is so huge.

The Port of Rotterdam consists of many harbours. Each of them has its own name and number, so it is impossible to confuse them. In addition, it has connections with the entire country and other states through railways.

The permanent number of people living in this city is about 617 thousand, so it is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands, second only to Amsterdam in population.

The port even has a motto that goes like this: “Strengthened by the struggle.”

Story

This port originated in the Middle Ages. It was at this time that harbors first appeared there. However, by the nineteenth century, the rivers connecting it to the shipping routes had silted up, making the port of Rotterdam difficult to access. Since it was in the 19th century that industry in the Ruhr region began to develop intensively, the port became in demand. So in 1830 he received a special canal.

Soon the number of ships passing here increased, and in 1872 a second canal connected the port directly to the sea. New harbors appeared, located on an island called IJsselmond. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, more and more harbors were formed as the port became larger. In 1958, an industrial petrochemical complex, one of the leading in the world, appeared in the port of Rotterdam. After that, even the largest ships could get here.

The port of Rotterdam is still developing. Thus, in the 1970s, new harbors appeared here, and the amount of cargo imported into its territory is increasing increasingly to this day. In the period from 1962 to 2004 it was the largest in the world, but in Lately this title is borne by the port of Shanghai. Despite this, he remains the leader in Europe.

Port activities

Currently, a large port like Rotterdam is one of the most important in the world. The cargo flows processed here mostly consist of minerals such as ore and coal. In addition, petroleum products and pure oil also end up here. In total, the port has five harbors for receiving black gold, which include 68 berths.

Many people interested in shipping visit the Netherlands. The Port of Rotterdam is a bustling place. Ferries operate here, ships are repaired, and shipyards are located here. If you give exact numbers, you can count 8 enterprises intended for ship repair.

Rotterdam is not only a seaport. More than two hundred thousand river boats, 250 to be exact, moor at its piers every year. It is part of a widespread railway system. In addition, here is one of the largest Historical facts indicate that it was in this city that the first metro in the Netherlands was opened.

It is interesting that during one of the largest wars, namely the First World War, spies were active in the port.

Excursions

The Port of Rotterdam is not only a leader among world ports. This city is very popular among tourists. People organize both independent trips and group excursions. So, you can choose among several options for the duration of such a walk. It can take either 75 minutes or two and a half hours. In summer, you can take part in the excursion at least several times a day, even at night.

The excursion program is designed in such a way that everyone can see all the most interesting things. For example, berths, docks, warehouses, and containers brought from all over the world will not be left unattended. At night, tourists have the opportunity to see the romantic Rotterdam - the port city, illuminated by thousands of lanterns and spotlights.

Attractions

The seaport of Rotterdam is a city that is rightfully considered the king of Dutch architecture. There are a large number of buildings here that at different times were record holders, for example, in height. Thus, one of the buildings built at the beginning of the twentieth century was considered the tallest in the Netherlands for several years. It rose 45 meters above the ground.

Of course, when visiting the port, you cannot help but become interested in local attractions. These include, in particular:

• Cube houses, which are considered a striking example of modern architecture.
• Euromast, rising many meters above the ground.
• The White House is one of the most beautiful in the whole city.

• Erasmus Bridge, or Swan Bridge. The largest drawbridge in the world, the construction of which cost the country $110 million.
• The Maritime Museum, by visiting which people can expand their knowledge about the history of shipbuilding.

Every year tourists visit the sights of Rotterdam. In total there are about four million people who come to the port.

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 big cities Germany, Spain, Italy and England. Amsterdam Schiphol is 58 km away and offers larger number directions. 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. Valid one system travel 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

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.”

Sculptural composition "Ruined City"

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

Delta Museum - reconstruction battleship 18th century.

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

Rice. 2.5.

Rotterdam is a major transport hub (railways and highways); sea ​​(on the North Sea) and river (Meuse River) ports; airport.

The port of Rotterdam is the largest in Europe, and from 1962 to 2004 it was the largest in the world (it lost this title to Shanghai and Singapore). In 2006, Rotterdam was the sixth largest container port in the world by TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) handling.

Fig.2.6. Terminal layout of Rotterdam: Maasvlakta, Europort, Botlek

Europort is a sea terminal in Rotterdam (Fig. 2.6., 2.7.). Situated at the mouths of the Rhine and Meuse rivers, which connect it to the European interior of Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The main activity of the port is servicing oil refineries, as well as enterprises in the coal and metallurgical industries. In addition, the port has automobile and container terminals.

Fig.2.7.

Company "EUROPEAN BULK SERVICES (E.B.S.) B.V." operates at two terminals located in strategically important areas of the port of Rotterdam, namely at the E.B.S. Europoort", where import/export agricultural products and coal are loaded and unloaded (at the berths of large-capacity vessels), and "E.B.S. St. Laurenshaven, a terminal for Panamax container ships, where the main loading and unloading operations of ore, coal, scrap, biomass and agricultural products are carried out. These two large terminals have excellent cargo handling and storage facilities. All terminals are optimally connected to deep-sea shipping routes, inland waters, railways and highways. Access to the terminals is carried out without passing through a single-chamber gateway. These terminals can accommodate any type of vessel from large bulk carriers to river barges.

From the Europoort terminal you can get to the pilot station in 1.5 hours, and from the St. Laurenshaven" - in 3 hours.

The area of ​​the port in Rotterdam is 105 square kilometers, it is 40 kilometers long. The port is located along the banks of the Kalandkanal, the extension of the rivers Nieuwe Maas, Nieuwe Waterweg and Scheur, as well as at the Maasvlakte bulk terminal, 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.

The Port of Rotterdam is connected by regular shipping lines to more than 110 European ports. Feeder ships and other modes of transport allow door-to-door delivery of cargo arriving in Rotterdam on ocean-going ships. Port infrastructure and equipment of the port of Rotterdam, 2008: total area - 10,556 hectares; water area and infrastructure - 5,999 hectares; port length - 40 km; berth line length - 89 km; container loaders - 103; container cranes - 12; multi-purpose cranes - 162.

Terminals: container terminals for ocean vessels, European cabotage vessels and river vessels - 9; multi-purpose terminals - 17; specialized terminals for Ro-Ro, liquid, bulk, etc. cargo - 67. Other equipment: tugs - 29; pilot boats - 6: piers, dams - 122; dry docks - 6; floating docks - 7. Rotterdam's modern container terminals, servicing ships in the shortest possible time, make the port the most popular hub for feeder transport in Europe.

Rotterdam is the second city of Holland and since 1968 the largest port in the world. This is enough to understand how quickly a city could develop based on the place where the small river Rotte flows into the Meuse; a dam on the Rotte River was first mentioned in a document of 1283.

In 1340 Rotterdam was granted the rights and privileges of a city, and 10 years later its inhabitants received permission from the Counts of Holland to build a canal leading to and specifically for the transport of English wool, the demand for which was constantly growing. It was from this time that the development of Rotterdam as a trading port began.

Despite wars and natural disasters that disrupted the city's economic growth in the past (such as the siege by Maximilian of Austria in 1489, the fire of 1563, or the sack of the Spanish in 1572), Rotterdam continued to develop active trade, especially with French ports on English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea. Fishing and agricultural products were brought there, salt, wine, and fruit were brought from there.

Intensive traffic forced Rotterdam to build a large port after 1600 with 10 new wide berths.

After 1870, a new sea route was built, the Nieuwe Waterwech, an 18 km long canal that provided shorter and more direct access to the sea. Since then, Rotterdam has become a port of global importance, and its traffic schedule has become increasingly intensive.

Therefore, in the period from 1870 to 1940. 20 new berths were built, some of them of enormous size (300 hectares of polders were donated to build Waalhaven - the world's largest artificial port).

The port of Rotterdam, where more than 30,000 ships berth annually, is today the largest in the world: it stretches more than 30 km in the heart of the city, along the banks of the Maas River and the Nieuwe Wa-terwech, the “old” canal from 1870, which became the beginning of the future city. In the last decade, the Europort was built at the mouth of the canal - a grandiose platform in the sea for mooring large ocean-going ships, which have a draft that allows them to enter the city. The whole life of Rotterdam is closely connected with the sea; it has the famous Prince Hendrik Maritime Museum, which displays 650 ship models, 2000 design projects, nautical charts, atlases, and documents.

Rotterdam, the largest port of the Old World, is constantly developing: its owners and management are introducing innovations that can significantly increase the already high efficiency of the enterprise

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...

IN last years Europe's largest transshipment and logistics complex in Rotterdam faced a number of systemic challenges. By responding to these challenges, the port will be able to move to a new technological level, determined primarily by a different idea of ​​the quality of services and, in general, of the operating principles of transport and logistics.

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 uniqueness of the port’s location, which predetermined its success, lies in the fact that the rivers flowing through the territories different countries, are excellent for transporting goods to central and western Europe. And the landscape of the area made possible intensive road and rail traffic, which is extremely important with high freight turnover. For example, in Russia, none of the top ten ports has direct access to the federal highway, which hinders the growth of transshipment volumes.

Among the world's ports, Rotterdam is third in terms of cargo turnover after Shanghai and Singapore. In 2005, 370 million tons of cargo were transshipped through it, and this is only slightly less than general indicator of all Russian ports (for example, the port of St. Petersburg handled only about 58 million tons). More than 100 thousand river vessels load and unload on the banks of the Rhine every year.

Until recently, the port of Rotterdam belonged to the city and was managed by the municipality as the sole shareholder. But now the federal government of the Netherlands also became part of the ownership, which, however, did not change the general scheme: the municipality and government authorities delegate part of their powers to the Port of Rotterdam management company, which develops strategy and carries out operational management. At the same time, the company works in direct contact with the relevant structural divisions of the Senate of the city of Rotterdam. All projects, be it the construction of new terminals or land reclamation, are coordinated with the municipality, but at the same time, the management company has significant independence (it is significant that in 2005, one of Rotterdam’s main competitors, the port of Hamburg, adopted a similar management model).

The port of Rotterdam received a natural continuation not only in the form of river routes, automobile and railways(which can already be considered the same port infrastructure as approach channels and quay walls); its commercial offices are scattered all over the world, and there are permanent representatives in the capital of the European Union, Brussels. The task of these representatives is to defend the interests of the company in the development of EU legislation in the field of ports, as well as to assist European officials - for example, by providing information on such a specific type of business as cargo transshipment and logistics.

The Port of Rotterdam will face a number of challenges over the next few years. For example, to decide how to behave in a situation where pressure on intra-European waterways is rapidly increasing. The fact is that almost all commodity flows are growing faster than previously expected. In just the next five years, total cargo turnover will reach 400 million tons, which is 7% higher than predicted just recently.

Intensification of freight turnover requires solutions aimed at more efficient use of available resources, and not at an extensive development path. The Port of Rotterdam made not an original, but a logical and rational decision - to implement high tech. The introduction of new rules for the security of ships and port facilities by the International Maritime Organization in 2004 required the port administration to work with a large amount of information. Thus, each of the 141 sea terminals was required to take certain measures to ensure safety, and the administration remains to inform about these measures and also verify their implementation. To simplify the exchange of information, the port management has implemented an interactive software program that is accessible via the Internet.

In the near future, a wireless telecommunication system will be created throughout the port, which will allow its employees and companies represented in the port to access information from anywhere in the port, without being tied to desktop computers. It is expected that this measure will increase the mobility of all operations, which will ultimately lead to faster and smoother passage of ships.

Other measures that meet modern requirements include active intervention in the redistribution of cargo between modes of transport. It would seem that the job of the port workers is to provide the cargo owner with high-quality services for transshipment and a number of other operations, and it is up to the client to decide for himself how to deliver his goods to the destination. But that's how it was before. Today, the port of Rotterdam has set itself the specific task of reducing the load on roads, which not only in the Netherlands, but also in Europe in general, are choked by excess traffic - primarily freight, and transfer some of the traffic to the railway.

Of course, this goal cannot be achieved by administrative methods, but by improving the service (and our transport officials would do well to learn this from the Dutch) it is quite possible. In particular, for this purpose, in 2007, regular railway service with a capacity of 240 pairs of trains per day, intended exclusively for the transportation of goods, will begin to operate on a 160-kilometer section between Rotterdam and the German town of Emmerich. At the same time, the Ministry of Transport, public works and the Dutch water authority allocated 35 million euros to compensate for operating losses of the line in the first three to five years of its operation and another 12 million,
to equip locomotives to safety standards.

The extensive development path involves the creation of a new port area, Maasvlakte-2, the territory of which will occupy 2 thousand hectares, that is, approximately one fifth of the current port area. It will directly border the North Sea. The cost of the project is 3 billion euros, the start of construction is planned for 2008, and the first ship calls are already in 2012.

The main products of the complex being created will be containers and petrochemicals. The choice of containers can be explained: the tendency to transport goods in them is becoming more and more pronounced. Today, it is in containers that are easy to store, load and transport to various types transport, passenger cars, household appliances, metal products, and even oil are transported.

According to the forecast of the port of Rotterdam, by 2010 container traffic here will grow to 12 million TEU (twenty equivalent utility - the equivalent of a twenty-foot container, a unit of measurement accepted in the industry), although, according to previous calculations, by this date it was expected to be somewhat less - 10.5 million. The trend is so is distinct, and transshipment capacity in Europe is so severely lacking that all global port and shipping companies have already announced their desire to compete for the opportunity to build their own terminal in Maasvlakte-2.

Another innovation that the port plans to introduce will be the transition to a 24-hour operating mode. Nowadays, it is mainly the chemical complex that is working non-stop, due to its specifics. However, marketers in Rotterdam hope to ensure that all stevedores, as well as logistics specialists and other services, work around the clock. This is the only way to achieve the maximum return from a limited resource. Obviously, it makes sense for Russian port workers to adopt not only Rotterdam’s experience in logistics and optimal public administration, but also take a closer look at fundamentally different approaches to management.

But Rotterdam is also a city of art and culture; it was here that Desiderius, the world-famous Erasmus of Rotterdam, was born in 1469. The statue of the great humanist in pensive pose: made by Hendrik de Keyser in 1622, is installed at the intersection of Blaak and Kolsingel streets - a large avenue in the center, where you can see evidence of the reconstruction of the city: the statue of Nahum Gab, the buildings of Marcel Bruer, the entire quarters of Bakema and Van den Brooka. Here on Colsingel Avenue is the Stathaus - the largest town hall in the Netherlands, built in 1914-1920. in the Flemish Renaissance style.

A beautiful panorama of the city, destroyed and rebuilt, opens from the 104-meter height of the Euromast - tower nor the one built in 1960, the name of which emphasizes Rotterdam’s connection with the rest of the world: indeed the word “mast” has the same meaning in 13 languages ​​- “mast”. It was from its height that one could see the new fabric of the city, created according to the latest designs using temporary advanced technology. From its rotating observation deck, in clear weather, the cranes of the huge European port are visible, the North Sea coast and a city of five hundred thousand. Its central part is built up with buildings of increasing height and resembles the silhouette of a huge bird, spreading its wings and ready to fly to the sky. The very beautiful Erasmusbrugge suspension bridge is also famous.

To the side of the modern functional center lies old Rotterdam with red-painted houses; bricks with white trim, where people of different tribes live (Europeans, Africans, Asians). Rotterdam, indeed, like no other city, has managed to accommodate people of different nationalities who live here in peace and harmony.

Have you noticed that the names of many cities evoke familiar images: NY- these are skyscrapers, Venice - canals and gondoliers, Cologne - famous Cathedral. Rotterdam is a city of beautiful modern architecture.

On May 14, 1940, the leaders of Rotterdam rejected Hitler’s ultimatum to surrender the city, to which the Nazi command immediately responded. As a result of the barbaric bombing, 24 thousand houses, 2,500 shops, 1,200 factories, 70 schools and 21 churches were destroyed. The world, which had not yet seen the ruins of Coventry and Stalingrad, shuddered. And when the Nazis left the city in 1945, they completed their deed by blowing up the remaining port facilities.
After the war, the residents of Rotterdam performed an unprecedented civic feat: revived their city from ruins, and the famous port of Rotterdam not only achieved its previous turnover, but also became the largest seaport in the world. There is a joke in the Netherlands that they spend money in Rotterdam, but they earn it in Rotterdam. There is a lot of truth in this joke, because every year more than 32 thousand ocean and 180 thousand river vessels moor at the berths of the port of Rotterdam. The city goes to sleep with the midnight whistles of port tractor-diesel locomotives, and wakes up with the first sounds of bells, when 400 cranes come to life, starting their difficult daily work of processing cargo from all over the world.
But we are talking about Rotterdam in order to get acquainted, first of all, with the city, with its miraculously preserved old part and new areas that amaze with bold architectural solutions. It is best to start our tour of the city by visiting the quarters of the so-called historical port of Delft, which, despite time and wars, has retained its beauty and flavor. There is a windmill, and narrow streets along the canals, and ancient warehouses with cantilever beams and hooks for lifting loads, and the gables of houses that look like they came out of a painting. Dutch artists. Back in 1620, they sailed from the piers of the port of Delft to America, the legendary Pilgrim Fathers, who founded New Holland there. From this ancient area we will go to meet the modern part of Rotterdam. Here, in the city center near the Maritime Museum, against the backdrop of ancient ships located in the bay, stands the world-famous sculpture “The Devastated City” by Ossip Zadkine.
The figure of a man, welded from crumpled metal, with arms outstretched to the sky and a torn hole in the chest, symbolizes the heart of the city destroyed by the Nazis. Not far from the monument to the destroyed Rotterdam, talented The country's architects built a city of glass and aluminum, concrete and steel - a new Rotterdam.
Admiring the ensembles and individual buildings, it’s hard to believe that this ultra-modern city has a 660-year history. In those distant times, fishermen built a dam on the banks of the Rott River to protect their settlement, called Rotterdam, from floods. The exhibits of the museum complex tell about the history and past of the city. This complex includes architectural and natural history museums, excellent art museums. The Kunsthal, the creation of the architect Rem Koolhaas, is interesting - it hosts exhibitions of works by masters of the 19th and 20th centuries, and the Boljmans Museum, which mainly displays the works of old masters. In this museum
The famous work of P. Bruegel “The Tower of Babel” is kept. From the museum complex we will head to the old port, where fishing schooners slumber in a cozy harbor. The decoration of the port is the first high-rise building in Europe - the 45-meter Het Witte Huis. It is over a hundred years old, having been built back in 1898. It offers a magnificent view of the Meuse embankment, the symbolic anchor on its shore, as well as the old port. Now the bay is surrounded by modern buildings, many restaurants and cafes overlooking the water.
Of course, the most interesting building in the area is “Blaakse Bos”, a residential building consisting of apartment cubes and cottage cubes.
These cubes do not rest on a plane, but on their own angle and are connected to other cubes located on the right and left at only one point. Together, this is a huge residential building, occupying an entire block, and a collection of unusual three-story cottages almost not touching each other. You can visit one of the cubes and examine the three-level apartment with all amenities. From its windows there is a view of the central city cathedral of St. Laurenskerk is an interesting late Gothic structure, erected at the beginning of the 16th century. In front of the cathedral there is a monument to the legendary educator and philosopher of the 15th century Erasmus of Rotterdam, who was born in this city. Now the city university bears his name.
From here it is a short walk to the magnificent City Hall, completed in 1920 and the largest in the country. Nearby are no less interesting buildings of the Post Office and the Exchange. Their facades face the main city road Coolsingel, which ends with a roundabout. Behind it begins Weena - the street leading to the station. It is bordered by majestic skyscrapers that house banks, insurance companies and offices. All these buildings were built after the war, and the architects’ motto was: “Only the sky is the limit for us.” The station complex is located next to pedestrian shopping streets, filled with citizens and guests of the city at any time of the day.

The port of Rotterdam is the largest in Europe. Its area reaches 105 km2, and the length of the coastline is 40 km. The port is divided into 5 districts and 3 shipping zones, more than 40,000,000 consumers are served here and more than 400 million tons of various goods are transported annually.

Due to its favorable location, Rotterdam has become the main seaport of Europe. It is located at the mouth of the Rhine and Meuse rivers (South Holland), through which cargo can be quickly and safely transported from the Netherlands to Belgium, France and Germany. It is through Rotterdam that most of the goods arriving from Asia or America enter the interior of continental Europe.

What value is the seaport of Rotterdam for tourists and is it possible to come here on an excursion? What is on its territory and how to get there? Answers to the most important questions for travelers are in this article.

Story

The first memories of the port of Rotterdam date back to the end of the 13th century, when in a small fishing village A dam was built at the mouth of the Rhine River. A little later, in 1340, a canal known as the “Rotterdam Schie” was dug at this site, which later became the main port of the province and the harbinger of Rotterdam.

The next significant stage in the history of the port came during the era of the Great geographical discoveries. After a short sea route to India was discovered, Dutch trade and shipping began to develop rapidly, turning Rotterdam into the country's second trading city. In 1873, the port was expanded and gained access to the North Sea; not only ordinary cargo ships, but also larger ocean-going steamships began to sail here.

The First and Second World Wars destroyed more than a third of the port's facilities, whose importance only increased due to the development of industry in the Ruhr region. In the second half of the 20th century, Rotterdam literally “rose from the ashes” left after numerous bombings. In its place was completely built new town with practical and unusual architecture, the seaport has become the embodiment of bold, innovative projects that inspire admiration not only from a tourist but also from a professional point of view.

Interesting to know! In the period from 1926 to 1986, Rotterdam was the largest port in the world.

Modern port

Today Rotterdam is called the main “gateway of Europe”. It is one of the largest ports in the world in terms of cargo turnover - more than 440,000,000 tons of goods pass through its berths and warehouses every year. Mainly oil products, ores, sand, coal and container cargo are transported through Rotterdam.

The landscape of the area around Rotterdam made it possible to establish road and rail connections here, which became another advantage of the port. In addition, its territory is famous for the presence of unusual architecture, since some companies whose warehouses and offices are located in this place created entire projects to create unique buildings with wide functionality. The port also has a small Maritime Museum.

Maritime Museum

Fun fact! The seaport of Rotterdam is called the king of Dutch architecture.

The port of Rotterdam is a place where there are no nights. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. More than 135,000 ships sail here every year and more than 4 million tourists want to personally visit the main harbor of Europe.

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Excursions in Rotterdam

Seeing the largest port in Europe from the inside is the dream of many travelers. To implement this, the Spido company, whose main office is located next to the Erasmus Bridge, conducts more than 5 excursions daily along the waterways of Rotterdam.

An exciting trip on the high-speed ship Speedo will allow you to go where a taxi cannot take you and your legs cannot take you. You will see with your own eyes all the features of this huge mechanism: a tourist boat passes along the Maas River through the main parts of the port, docks and shipyards, it sails past sea vessels serving tugs and tankers, and shows travelers the most interesting buildings of Rotterdam.

A tour of the seaport will be interesting for both children and adults. It lasts 1.5 or 2.5 hours and is accompanied by information in Dutch, English, French and German. Departures occur almost every hour from under the Erasmus Bridge.

Advice! Food and drinks on the ship are very expensive, so it is better to buy them in advance. The company does not prohibit bringing sandwiches, fruits and even wine on board.

Helpful information

• The cost of the cruise is 12 euros. Holders of a HollandPass card are entitled to a discount, which must be reminded to the cashier;
• The company is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. To know exact time departure of the ship is possible only on the spot, since the schedule of the Speedo ship depends on its workload;
• Next to the company's ticket offices is one of the best souvenir shops in Rotterdam. Here you can buy many interesting gifts, mainly nautical themed;
• If you want to enjoy the excursion from the upper deck, ask for a blanket in advance and don't forget a scarf - the ship moves at high speed and the wind blows constantly on passengers.

The Port of Rotterdam is a unique mechanism, striking in its scale. See its power and strength with your own eyes! Have a nice trip!

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