Rotterdam Port

Rotterdam in detail

Rotterdam is the second biggest Dutch city (right after Amsterdam) and the biggest European port which was, until recently, the busiest one in the world. Only the port in Shanghai surpasses it as far as the volume of (un)loaded containers and the number of oil ships are concerned. Rotterdam is the hail port for 500 marine lines, keeping in touch with 1000 other ports. It is the most important port for oil, chemical products, container transportation, iron ore, coal and food. All big shipping companies have their offices in Rotterdam.

The city spreads out on the banks of the Nieuwe Maas River; its delta is formed by the Rheine River and the Meuse River. The name of Rotterdam is derived from a dam on a small river which, from the north right in the city centre, flows into the Nieuwe Maas River.

Municipal privileges were granted to Rotterdam by Willem IV of the Netherlands in 1340. The city experienced its biggest growth (port as well as population) after finishing of Nieuwe Waterweg in 1872.