Annual Report 2006

In 2006, the growth achieved by the Amsterdam
Port Area can be almost entirely attributed to the
expansion of activities in the Port of Amsterdam,
where cargo throughput rose by 13.4% to over
61 million metric tons. In Amsterdam, oil products
are one of the two booming sectors, growing by
22% to more than 23 million tons. The other rapid
grower is the container business, of course. While
the volume of containers transshipped at the Port
of Amsterdam is still limited (3.3 million tons), the
growth in this sector can only be described as
spectacular (from 66,000 to over 300,000 TEUs).
Naturally, the cargo throughput in Amsterdam is
very much linked to the local capacity for storage
and transshipment. For example, the recent investments
in the container terminal are now being
reflected in the volume of containers handled by
Amsterdam. More good news is that investments
in container terminal capacity are continuing at
an increased rate. In the year under review, the
Port of Amsterdam leased out an impressive 80
hectares of land (gross), which well exceeded
the annual average of 25 hectares seen over many
years. Important transactions were the lease of
28.7 hectares to LBH/Rietlanden (for a new coal
terminal in the Afrikahaven); 14 hectares to
Handelsveem; 6.5 hectares to Oiltanking (which
is further expanding its business); as well as
9 hectares to Greenmills. These developments
mean that the transshipment of coal and oil products
will continue to grow in the coming years.
Beyond that, the transshipment of bio-fuels will
(partly parallel to the gasoline market) take off as
a result of three initiatives taking shape in the port.
In container transshipment, developments in recent
months have shown that the Netherlands requires
at least two but perhaps three full-fledged container
ports to accommodate the strong growth in
container shipping and to retain its market share.
Remarkably, it is taking a long time for all participants
in this chain to adjust their policies to the
new reality. I expect the container business in
Amsterdam to grow to 500,000 TEUs over 2007,
and that new container shipping services will begin
using Amsterdam in the future.
The Ceres Paragon container terminal benefits the
regional economy on two fronts. First of all, local
companies are now making considerable savings on
delivering goods to our seaport and picking them
up here (reducing before-and-after transport).
Beyond that, the large number of containers handled
by this terminal is providing work for the local logistics
and distribution sector. An example of this is
a phased plan by a well-known property developer
to build a 110,000-square meter ultramodern distribution
center in Atlaspark on a risk-bearing basis.
The continuing expansion at the port is also placing
heavy demands on the port authority. We will have
to put in an even greater effort to create optimum
conditions for our customers. To further improve
the port’s accessibility, the port authority is pushing
vigorously for the speedy construction of a second
major canal lock in IJmuiden, where the North Sea
Canal discharges into the North Sea. The Port of
Amsterdam and the Directorate-General for Public
Works and Water Management will have to jointly
develop methods for realizing this project as quickly
as possible and on budget. Working under increased
pressure only enhances our capacity for innovation,
which has yielded substantial benefits
in recent years.
Furthermore, in all aspects of our operations, the
subject of sustainable development will figure
even more prominently. As a port, we aim to play
a pivotal role in the regional, national and international
economy. But we can only continue to do
so, if we operate in a future-oriented fashion.
Finally, I would like to thank the entire staff of the
Port of Amsterdam for all their hard work and dedication
over the past year.
hans Gerson
Executive Director and CEO