BY DAVID MALONEY, CHIEF EDITOR
INTERMODAL
Transportation
WITH ITS LOCATION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE,
the Netherlands is the center of distribution and logistics
for the Continent. The Dutch have over 400 years of logistics experience behind them. Since the days of the Dutch
East India Co., which was founded in 1602, the Netherlands
has made international trade an art form.
The Netherlands has the infrastructure to match the expertise. The country’s system of ports and canals, for instance,
provides fast reach to most major European markets.
The World Economic Forum in 2013 rated the Dutch
infrastructure among the best in the world: first in the
world for maritime, fourth for air, and 11th for rail. That
kind of infrastructure is key to reaching large population
centers quickly (500 million people live within a 24-hour
drive of Rotterdam, the country’s main logistics entry
point). It’s no surprise that half of Europe’s distribution
center operations are located in Holland.
The Dutch government recognizes the vital economic role
played by trade and logistics—the logistics sector accounts
for approximately 9 percent of the nation’s jobs—and has
worked hard to position the country as a gateway for trade.
Customs clearance, for example, is among the most streamlined in Europe. Supply chain management is recognized by
the government as one of a handful of significant industries
that must be nurtured. Coalitions of government, industry,
and university representatives are working on initiatives to
expand trade, ease restrictions, and promote innovation.
BELLY UP
As the main gateway to Europe, the Netherlands handles
imports from all over the world, but in particular, from Asia
and North America. Most of these goods arrive by sea or air.
In fact, one-third of all imports into Europe pass through
Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport or the Port of Rotterdam.
Schiphol is one of Europe’s largest and busiest aircargo
hubs. Nearly 80 percent of the airport’s available capacity is
in the form of lower-deck “belly space” in passenger planes.
As with most air freight, these shipments consist mainly
of perishables or high-value items. For example, Schiphol
handles more shipments of cut flowers than any other
airport in the world. Freight forwarders and third-party
logistics service providers (3PLs) have set up shop in 17
If you ship products in Europe, chances are your freight will pass through the
Netherlands. That’s no accident.
Europe goes Dutch
