The port in fact belongs to the municipality or city of Amsterdam under whose instructions Port of Amsterdam manages, operates and develops the port. The main aim is stimulating economic activity and employment in the entire Amsterdam port region.

Mission

Together with other port managers and companies, Port of Amsterdam manages the industrial and logistics complex along the North Sea Canal. Together they are responsible for an innovative and diversified port region.

Main issue in the policy is a swift, safe and environmentally sound implementation of goods traffic, both over water, road and rail. In developing the Amsterdam port region (also known as Amsterdam seaports) Port of Amsterdam aims for a balance between economics and sustainability. Social and economic returns in the form of employment and income is an important precondition.

Tasks

Shipping traffic

Port of Amsterdam ensures a safe, swift and environmentally responsible management of shipping traffic within its working area. This area is from 12 miles offshore IJmuiden to the Orange locks (Oranjesluizen) in Amsterdam. In between are the subsidiary ports of Velsen, Beverwijk, Zaanstad and Amsterdam. Port of Amsterdam's activities include:

• Traffic control by VHF from the various traffic posts
• Traffic supervision by patrol vehicles
• Controlling the locks in IJmuiden
• Enforcing the law and regulations
• Executing environmental inspection tasks
• Advising other services and companies in the nautical area

The Central Nautical Management (CNB) is responsible for the nautical management in the North Sea Canal area. Port of Amsterdam is authorised by the CNB to execute tasks like taking decisions and upholding regulations. Furthermore, the harbourmaster executes tasks in the area of regulations and public order and safety on behalf of the city council.

Developments

The port together with its entire surrounding region seeks to be attractive to customers as international seaport and gateway to Europe. It is therefore necessary that the port upholds the highest quality standards, and that it also anticipates developments in the various logistics and distribution markets. For this reason, Port of Amsterdam annually invests in many facilities including

• The strengthening of networks
• The development and innovation of real estate and infrastructure

Operations

Port of Amsterdam manages over 1900 hectares (4500+ acres) of port area and 600 hectares (1500 acres) of water. The exploitation is aimed at port sites (rental and leasing), quays and water. Port of Amsterdam also takes care of the construction, maintenance and renewal of real estate and infrastructure. Port of Amsterdam supports and supervises companies which want to set up or are already set up in the port, for instance by

• Mediation for the application of various licenses and facilities
• Supervision of building applications

The companies can then build on and arrange their site as they wish. They must do this in the context of the contract, taking planning and environmental regulations into consideration.

Port of Amsterdam ensures the construction of and maintenance of the infrastructure such as roads, sewage, cables and pipes.

Marketing and promotion

The main purpose of the promotion and marketing activities of Port of Amsterdam is expansion of port activities.

• Expansion of existing company offices
• Increase of the flow of goods via the port
• Stimulation of cruise shipping via Amsterdam

Spearheads in the marketing policy are those sectors in the market which offer high added value and high levels of employment.

Protection of nature and environment

Care for the environment in the port area and the influence of the port on its the surroundings is an important aspect of Port of Amsterdam policy. One of the most important aspects of environmental policy is the careful and effective management of available space.

In addition, the Port of Amsterdam ensures that the users of the port uphold all normal behavioural and environmental regulations and that the quality of the soil, water and bottom are not threatened.

Finances

Port of Amsterdam receives all income from the use of the port.

Port of Amsterdam income

• Sea and port dues from ships passing through the port
• Quay dues for the use of the municipal moorings,
• Rent in exchange for port sites issued

After deducting all costs, a large sum of money remains each year. In 2001 that was 20.6 million euro and in 2002 7.8 million euro. This is deposited in the municipal treasury and so benefits all inhabitants of Amsterdam.

Port of Amsterdam requires the permission of the central city administration of the city of Amsterdam for sizeable issues (such as large investments and real estate transactions). This administration is made up of the municipal council and Mayor and Aldermen. Councilman Mark van der Horst has been specially appointed to deal with Port of Amsterdam.

Sustainability

Port of Amsterdam aims for economic growth with durable development. Sustainability with regard to the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure but also in its ecological management. Port of Amsterdam develops numerous types of policies for this. These are converted into new projects for use of space, park management, traffic and transport, materials and energy and water. One of the spearheads of the environmental policy is to carefully and effectively deal with the available space in the port. Furthermore, Port of Amsterdam ensures that the users of the port live up to the behavioural and environmental regulations and do not jeopardise the quality of the soil, the water and bottom.

Address

Port of Amsterdam
PO box 19406, 1000 GK Amsterdam
De Ruijterkade 7, 1013 AA Amsterdam

Telephone + 31 (0)20 - 5234 500
Fax +31 (0) 20 – 6209 821
E-mail info@portofamsterdam.nl
Internet www.portofamsterdam.nl