Amsterdam - Port
On the north side of the Central Station, in De Ruyterkade, are a series of jetties (steigers) used by the numerous motor launches and ferries. The port intallations were developed from 1872 onwards, following the contruction of the North Sea Canal, in an attempt to recover for Amsterdam, then being overshadowed by Rotterdam, something of its importance.
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The port of Amsterdam lies 18.5km/11.5miles from the open sea and thanks to the great sea locks at IJmuiden, is not affected by the movement of tides. Several thousand vessels pit in here every year, giving the port an annual turnover of some 14 million tonnes. It also handle some 37,000 passengers a year.
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Cruise Port
From Amsterdam, majestic cruise ships depart for distant ports of call. While docked, these mighty ships are a spectacle for all to see.
IJ Tunnel
Over 100 years ago people were looking at ways of linking Amsterdam with the opposite bank of the IJ in the north (link with North Holland). A tunnel was being thought of even at that time (plans for a suspension bridge are even older), since the ferries to and from North Holland caused considerable delays. For a long time, however, such plans were thought unrealistic, and it was not until the beginning of this century that the city council was prepared seriously to examine the idea of a tunnel. From 1930 to 1950 countless designs were discussed and rejected but it was finally decided to build a tunnel for road vehicles only. Cyclists and pedestrians still have to use the ferries. On 25 May 1955 the first pile was driven into the ground but the project was dogged by organizational and financial problems and it was years before the work was completed at a total cost of over 20million guilders. In October 1968 the tunnel was opened to traffic and brought great improvements in communications with North Holland.
