The Netherlands is a nation with a very long maritime tradition. Due to its central position and the keen trading attitude of its people, the country has become an important centre for international trade. More than 10% of Europe's external trade passes through the port of Rotterdam; an impressive figure that explains the importance the port ascribes to the development of state-of-the-art logistics, distribution and EDI systems.

The Dutch government has introduced a new shipping policy aimed at establishing the Netherlands as one of the world's main maritime centres. The policy offers an attractive business environment and culture to entice shipping companies to flag their vessels in and conduct their operations from the Netherlands. Read more...

A particular area of spectacular success is ship finance, where, in the past few years, the Netherlands has developed into one of the world's major ship-finance centres. Read more...

The Rotterdam Mainport Development Corporation was recently set up to create space to further the growth of the port and industry in the main port of Rotterdam and to improve the quality of the living environment in and around the port. Read more...