The port of Amsterdam is 18·5km (12mi) from the open sea and, thanks to the IJmuiden sluices, is unaffected by the state of the tide. Several thousand ships call here annually, freighters and also passenger ships. There are regular services up the Rhine to Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Speyer, Strasburg and Basle. In addition Amsterdam is a popular starting point for cruises.
The port installations were begun in 1872 in conjunction with the construction of the North Sea Canal, the objective being to restore the former importance of the capital city which was being overtaken by Rotterdam. It is well worth joining one of the regular cruises around the harbor and canals, especially in the evening when the houses and bridges are illuminated. The entire dock area was reclaimed from the IJ. Its channel was deepened and artificial islands with landing quays were built alongside. On the south bank of the IJ there is a series of large wet-docks including the Westerdok, the Oosterdok and the IJhaven, as well as important dockyards.
West of the Westerdok lie the Houthaven (timber), the Minervahaven, the Coenhaven and the spectacular Petroleumhaven, which gives access to the North Sea Canal. Further west are the Westhaven docks with loading facilities for coal, crude oil, ore and grain, and with oil storage tanks, refineries and chemical plant. On the north bank of the IJ there are several smaller docks and the locks of the North Holland Canal. Just west of the central station stands the 13- story Port Administration building, built in 1958-60 by Dudok van Heel, which is 60 m (197ft.) high and has a restaurant with a panoramic view.
At the purpose-built Amsterdam Container Terminal container vehicles can be driven straight into the holds of the roll-on roll-off vessels. The opening of the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal in 1952 made for considerably improved links with the European hinterland so far as bulk cargo handling is concerned.
The Scheepvaartmuseum, the Dutch Maritime Museum, is located on the Oosterdok, holding a collection of model ships, globes, navigation instruments and pictures on a maritime theme.
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