Amsterdam - Haven

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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.