Haven Amsterdam

Business Climate

Spirit of commerce and opportunities

The Dutch work ethos is characterised by a continual pursuit of innovation and service though safety naturally comes first. Take advantage of the famous Dutch spirit of commerce, and make use of our excellent infrastructure and services.

Unique opportunities

• Some 500 hectares (1200 acres) of business sites available
• All facilities necessary for Deep Sea and Short Sea services
• Twenty minutes from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
• Immediately accessible hinterland connections by road, water and rail
• Well trained, committed and multilingual labour force

Central location

As logistics centre, the Amsterdam port area is gateway to many destinations including Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Great Britain, Scandinavia and places further east. Few other ports are so ideally situated. Amsterdam offers direct access to many tens of millions of European consumers.

Industry
Available industrial sites are not only intended for port-related activities. Besides the quay-based lots for terminals and companies requiring access to water, there are also 'dry' sites intended for manufacturing and distribution. Famous commercial names such as Cargill, Hitachi and Starbucks have already found their home here.

European distribution centres
Danzas, IBM, Sigma Coatings, Nissan, Starbucks and Hitachi are just examples of many great names that set up European distribution centres and value added logistics operations in the Amsterdam port area. There are over two hundred head offices and dozens of European distribution centres in the immediate vicinity of the port area.

Intermodal connections

The roads around the port give direct access to the European road network. Investment is ongoing to keep these connections up to standard.

Over the past few years, large parts of the ring road around Amsterdam have been completely renewed and capacity increased. The next important projects are doubling the number of lanes in the Coen tunnel and the construction of a direct link to the airport.

The port handles Deep Sea, Short Sea and Inland shipping and has all facilities for the swift transhipment and further transport of goods.

The All Weather Terminal means it is possible to directly transfer cargoes from ocean vessel to inland vessel in a covered terminal. With railway line on the grounds it is also possible to transfer directly onto rail wagons.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

With Schiphol at a distance of only twenty minutes, unique combinations of air traffic and seaborne cargo are possible. This distance is also favourable with regard to the flying in of staff and visitors. Schiphol serves over 240 destinations and is the number four airport in Europe by volume, number two in the world by traveller preference. Examples of goods that make use of both seaport and airport are spare parts and fresh products.

Amsterdam metropolis

The city of Amsterdam has an attractive international business climate.

Advantages Amsterdam

• A well trained, multilingual and strongly motivated labour force
• With Euronext and more than sixty international banks it is an important financial centre.
• Many and varied professional services are available. Amsterdam is a dazzling congress city with internationally renowned shows and fairs and generous hotel accommodation
• The Amsterdam Internet Exchange is one of the largest (neutral) internet hubs. Amsterdam has a very high cable density
• As far as business advice is concerned, there is a large choice of renowned international research and consultancy bureaus

Amsterdam has a unique living and working climate. The city and its inhabitants are renowned for their tolerance for many cultures, spirit of commerce and ideas.

Characteristics Amsterdam

• The politically stable climate adds to the high quality of living
• Various universities, colleges and other educational possibilities offer an abundance of opportunities for personal development
• The history and culture offer many possibilities for relaxation and inspiration

Amsterdam port area

The Amsterdam port area is a favoured place of business for (inter)national corporations. While other ports are threatening to become overcrowded, there is still generous space and opportunity to grow in the port area.

In co-operation with entrepreneurs, Port of Amsterdam has a permanent and extensive investment programme. This means guarantees of high innovation and modern methodology.

Examples of Port of Amsterdam investments

• The new Afrika harbour is the most westerly harbour basin and offers 275 hectares of new industrial sites
• The second even more spacious All Weather terminal offers covered transhipment to coasters and inland vessels.
• The development of Atlaspark will mean a site specially intended and designed for logistics companies.
• The stimulation of PortNET, a port community system that facilitates in administrative activities. It allows one for instance to report electronically to all authorities in one procedure.
• Leading roll in the implementation of ISPO security measures of the International Maritime Organisation.
• Initiative for a public European external border inspection post for the inspection of veterinary products such as meat and fish for both human and non-human consumption.

There is a continual effort being made to reduce transaction times, and optimise connections and co-operation between government bodies and business.

Supervision and support
You can count on commitment, and professional support from Port of Amsterdam. It is happy to listen to all wishes of entrepreneurs.

Support from the Port Authority

• When applying for building and environmental licenses
• Supervision of subsidy applications
• Mediation in recruiting and training staff
• Collective supervision of corporate sites
• Collective personnel transport services
• Construction and maintenance of infrastructure and park areas in the port
• Technical advice

More information?

• Port of Amsterdam, Commercial Division,
  telephone + 31 (0)20 - 5234 561, or by e-mail

Sustainability

Port of Amsterdam aims for economic growth in a sustainable environment. Sustainable with regard to construction and maintenance of the infrastructure, but also in its ecological management.

Port of Amsterdam has developed a specific policy for this translating into projects concerning shortages of space, park management, traffic and transportation, materials and power and water.

A top priority of environmental policy is dealing with the available space in the port with care and consideration. Also the port authority encourages port users to follow all relevant regulations and ensures that the quality of the soil, water and water bottoms are not put in danger.