Introduction

                                                                                                                                           'All life is supposed to have started from maritime life'                                    (Prof. H. Schadee, Containers 5 - 1967- Prof. Schadee has drafted the current Dutch Maritime Code)

The Port of Rotterdam plays a very important role in the European import and export market. It is the main port serving most West European countries. Roughly 400 million tons of cargo pass through the Port of Rotterdam last year. The port area of Rotterdam and the industrial estates connected to it span roughly 40 km and run from the city center of Rotterdam to the North-Sea (Hook of Holland). The port of Rotterdam offers direct employment to almost 90,000 people in Greater Rotterdam as well as to an additional 250,000 elsewhere in the Netherlands.

Capital expenditure in the Port of Rotterdam is nowadays reaching almost "Asian levels". A new port area "Maasvlakte 2" is being developed. Added value is rising strongly and the same goes for the role played by the Port of Rotterdam in the Dutch and European economy. A significant percentage of the cargo coming to Rotterdam is processed in the port. Examples are the refining of crude oil, the manufacture of synthetics, the stripping and stuffing of containers, the putting together of cargo packets etcetera. Most of the transhipment entails bulk goods such as oil, chemicals, coal and ores. Rotterdam is Europe's largest container port. The Rotterdam Port is one of the busiest in the world with some 100,000 movements of sea-going vessels and 300,000 movements of inland navigation vessels taking place. It has been one of the largest maritime junctions in the world for decades. Not only the ideal geographical position for landing and exporting goods on and from the European mainland, also the ability of the companies situated in and around the port to respond adequately to economic and social demands are contributing factors to the success of Mainport Rotterdam.

This vibrant and stimulating economic area requires skilled and experienced lawyers focusing on Shipping, Logistics and Commercial law to safeguard an orderly environment for the business community. That's what Van Steenderen MainportLawyers is there for !