From a small seaport to an international logistics center

Amsterdam Port: From a small seaport to an international logistics center ---Interview Mr. Hans Gerson--CEO of Amsterdam Port

Amsterdam Port is located in the North Sea Canal area within the west coast of Netherlands. It is the second largest port in Europe following Rotterdam Port. In addition, it is one of the most important international ports. Amsterdam Port is actually the combination of Ijmuiden Port, Beverwijk Port and Zaanstad Port. When the ships arrive at Amsterdam port passing the North Sea; they will not be affected by tidal difference. It is very convenient and fast.

Hans Gerson—CEO of Amsterdam Port has been dedicating to cooperating with Chinese enterprises, actively promoting the port in China and strengthening the port infrastructure construction to attract more ocean-going freighters in China in recent years.

The reporter from SHIPPINGCHINA.COM is very lucky to interview Mr. Hans Gerson from Amsterdam Port. We know about the process of Amsterdam Port changing from a small seaport to an international logistics center and the developing plan for the future by this interview.

Reporter: First, could you please introduce the competitive advantages of Amsterdam Port compared with other European ports?

Hans Gerson: Here, I want to emphasize the port's excellent geographic advantage and hinterland economic advantages. The port was located in North Sea Canal in the west of Netherlands, only 10 nautical miles to Ijmuiden and 15 kilometers to Amsterdam International Airport. Because of the ship lock, the tidal difference won't affect the ships coming in and going out. In addition, The port is governed by the political, economical and cultural center of Netherlands ---Amsterdam whose major industries includes shipbuilding, electronic, chemistry, steel, machinery and textile. The hinterland economic advantages of this city are very prominent.

Compared with other cities in Europe, the water and electricity charges in Amsterdam port region are lower and the real estate is also very competitive. At present, hundreds of European companies' head offices and dozens of logistics distribution centers are founded in Amsterdam Port. As an international logistics center, Amsterdam Port is the gateway to Germany, Belgium, France, England and Nordic countries.

Reporter: What is your viewpoint on Chinese economic status in recent years? What opportunities and challenges do you think the development of Chinese economy will bring to Amsterdam Port?

Hans Gerson: Chinese economy has made a quick development in recent years and China has become one of the most important trade partners of EU. And more important, the quickly developed bilateral trade between China and Netherlands and the gradually deepening economic cooperation in many fields will bring huge commercial opportunities to Amsterdam Port.

Amsterdam Port has set up an office in Shanghai. And we are making more Chinese enterprises know us by continuous introduction about our port. Amsterdam Port has become one of the most efficient ports in the world because we have Ceres Paragon Container Terminal with advanced technology and high handling efficiency. And at the same time, we are increasing the investment in port infrastructure construction to attract more Chinese ocean-going freighters.

I come to China almost every year for knowing more bout it and its market. I hope to expand influence of Amsterdam Port in China by communicating with our potential clients so that we can cooperate with more Chinese ports, shipping companies and logistics companies.

Reporter: Amsterdam Port has been quickly developed from a small seaport to a large international logistics center, what do you think the most important factor for the success is?

Hans Gerson: There are many reasons for the success. First, the support from the government is an very important factor. Amsterdam is a government-funded enterprise. The government has managed and developed the port to promote the economic development and improve the employment status of the port region. Second, the port is the gateway to European inland. It is very convenient to enter European inland by road, railway and waterway through Amsterdam Port. At the same time, the neighbor port---Schiphol will help transport the cargos to other inland countries in Europe quickly. At last, Amsterdam Port was just a major bulk port in Europe before. But we made it a large container port by constructing and perfecting the port facilities. In addition, the high-quality talents, safety facilities constructions and the green environment protection systems are also important factors. 

Reporter: Could you please introduce the developing plan of Amsterdam Port in next few years?

Hans Gerson: The key issue for the future is the strengthen of the port infrastructure construction. Before 2010, Amsterdam Port will invest to construct a new coal terminal, a new oil storage, an expansion current facilities oil storage, a bio-plant infrastructure and complete the construction of the second phase container terminal. We also bring in high-techs and modernize our information processing system to improve the handling efficiency of the port. Of course, we are still actively looking for cooperated partners and potential clients, not only in China, but also in other countries in Asia such as Singapore and Korea.

Reporter: As we know, Amsterdam Port had planned a very innovative promotion called Art-on-a-Box. For what did you do it?

Hans Gerson: We aim to attract more logistics companies to do business with our port by this artistic promotion. By the increasing quantity of shipments, container will be a good inter-media for promotion. At the same time, The container ship going all around the world with the image of our city and port will make more people know that Amsterdam Port is a well-equipped container port as an international logistics hub. The movable art also symbolizes Amsterdam's special characteristics—exploiting, creation and innovation.