From Roy Groenewegen

and David Amann

Port Of Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the world’s biggest port and it follows that it is, therefore, also the biggest port in Europe. In the Hamburg-Le Havre Range – comprising the nine largest ports in north-western Europe – Rotterdam has a market share of about 35 percent. So it is obvious that it is not called Rotterdam Mainport Europe for nothing!
Rotterdam is a center for the transfer and shipment of goods, transportation (by river and road), import, export, distribution, logistics, trade and industry.
Excellent connections with its hinterland make it the premier port for imports and exports to and from Europe. Rotterdam does absolutely everything it can to maintain and improve its leading position in a literal and figurative sense.In 2003 Rotterdam handled 328 million tons of goods, an increase of 2 percent compared to 2002. This surpassed the record year of 2000 by 6 million tons.

Seabrex

Since it was founded in 1985, the Ebrex company has seen healthy growth and has become the leading logistics company in the fruit and vegetable sector and a major one in the dry cargo branch at the world’s largest port of Rotterdam. As an all-round independent logistics company, Ebrex offers the required facilities for all kinds of products, whatever their characteristics.
Often the key to success in international trade depends on finding the right company to work with, sharing the same philosophy and interests.
Our philosophy has always been to be the extension of the producer or exporter, so that they regard us as their warehouse and allow us to act as their “eyes” for the European continent.
Ebrex is the extension of the supplier and recipient, offering a dedicated tailor-made package that incorporates all the required services.Our offices in the Netherlands are located in the port of Rotterdam, at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, at the flower auctions in Aalsmeer and Honselersdijk, in Tilburg, Waalwijk and Barendrecht.
Outside the Netherlands, Ebrex offices are found in Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Ecuador.

ECT

ECT is the largest and most customer focussed container terminal operator in Europe, handling almost three-quarters of all containers at the port of Rotterdam. All year round, twenty-four hours a day, ECT operates the Delta Terminal on Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte along the North Sea and the Home Terminal in the Eemhaven area, near the city center. Both terminals are under all conditions easily accessible from sea.

ECT is also developing a network of inland terminals to facilitate optimum intermodal transport between Rotterdam and the European hinterland. Currently, ECT has terminals in Venlo (in the southeast of The Netherlands), Willebroek (Belgium) and Duisburg (Germany). All ECT’s terminals inside and outside Rotterdam are at the crossroads of visible container flows and invisible information flows.

Measlant Barrier

The Netherlands is located in a low-lying delta, where large rivers such as the Rhine and IJssel run into the sea. The history of the Netherlands has been determined by the struggle against water. The Flood Disaster in 1953 was a rude awakening for the country. The fatal combination of a north-westerly storm and spring tide resulted in the inundation of large parts of the provinces of Zeeland and South Holland.

Over 1800 people died and the flood caused enormous damage to houses and property. Only one conclusion could be drawn: the country was not safe. Measures to prevent a repetition of the disaster were put forward in the form of the Delta Plan. The dykes in Zeeland and South Holland had to be raised to delta level: they had to be capable of withstanding storm surges as much as one and a half metres higher than those during the notorious storm in 1953.

Flower Auction

The Netherlands is the world's largest producer of cut flowers and plants, and accounts for more than half of the world's trade in such products. This position is partially the result of the unique teamwork of producers, auctions and exporters. As market leader, FloraHolland is the linchpin in the whole ornamental plant and flower chain. Five auction locations, 26 auction clocks, a nationally operating Intermediary Office handling (direct) sales away from the clocks and 3000 employees guarantee that growers and dealers, in the Netherlands as well as in other countries, get the best possible service. As a cooperative sales organisation, FloraHolland is positioned at the heart of the market. Feedback from the market is fundamental in establishing the commercial proces. FloraHolland has export-oriented auctions in Naaldwijk and Rijnsburg, and regional auctions in Bleiswijk, Venlo and Eelde. Every one of these locations has its own coverage area, sales market and character. This organisational set-up gives every grower and buyer a market place that suits his particular needs. FloraHolland's Intermediary Office concerns itself with the futures and day trade and is active at all auction locations as well as the Boskoop tree nursery centre.

Amsterdam

In the 17^th century Amsterdam has the greatest harbour of the world and also the first harbour in the world, it was founded before Rotterdam. One of the most important activities was sailing to the other countries to get or trade products. The original function of the canals was to transport products and it was also important for saving all the water. The canals bring in a lot of money because many people like to make a boat trip on the canal.

The shipping-museum

The V.O.C. has a very important organisation in the history of the Netherlands. It’s a trading organisation between the Netherlands and some Eastern companies. In Amsterdam was have seen a big ship of the V.O.C. and we made a guided tour.

After finished this report we come to the result that water is very important for everbody.