Transportation industry in the Netherlands - Statistics & Facts
The Netherlands is a key European hub for international transport and logistics, with a long history of maritime trade and shipping. The country ranks third in Europe in terms of container volume handled in its ports, following Spain and Germany. A large proportion of the cargo volume shipped through the Netherlands comes through the port of Rotterdam, making it the largest port in Europe. In 2022, the port handled nearly 435 million metric tons of cargo, almost twice the volume handled by its closest competitor, the port of Antwerp.
The port of Rotterdam and other Dutch ports support a wider logistics and transport industry in the country. The water transport sector alone employed nearly 16,000 people in 2020 and is closely connected to the road haulage and rail sectors, which enable distribution from the ports across Europe.
In addition to its prominence in the shipping sector, the country also hosts one of the busiest airports in Europe. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport recorded around 25.5 million passengers in 2021, slightly less than Europe’s busiest airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle. The vast majority of passengers at the airport arrive or depart on the country’s flag carrier, KLM.
This enthusiasm for everyday cycling is also reflected in the uptake of electric bicycles in the country. In 2020, e-bikes made up half of all bicycles sold that year for the first time. By 2022, the share of e-bikes sold in the Netherlands had grown to 57 percent while making up only a little over a fifth of bike sales across Europe.
The port of Rotterdam and other Dutch ports support a wider logistics and transport industry in the country. The water transport sector alone employed nearly 16,000 people in 2020 and is closely connected to the road haulage and rail sectors, which enable distribution from the ports across Europe.
International arrivals
The Netherlands is not only a key destination for container ships, but large numbers of cruise ships are also finding their way to Dutch ports. The port of Amsterdam is a particularly popular destination, although the COVID-19 pandemic substantially reduced the number of cruise ships arriving in the port in 2020 and 2021. However, the sector is expected to recover by 2025, and revenue from the cruise market is projected to reach nearly 112 billion euros by 2027.In addition to its prominence in the shipping sector, the country also hosts one of the busiest airports in Europe. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport recorded around 25.5 million passengers in 2021, slightly less than Europe’s busiest airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle. The vast majority of passengers at the airport arrive or depart on the country’s flag carrier, KLM.
Bicycles – the national mode of transport
The Netherlands also stands out among its European neighbors when it comes to domestic transportation, particularly the role that the bicycle plays in everyday mobility. In a country of around 17.5 million inhabitants, there are an estimated 23.4 million bicycles, meaning the average Dutch person owns around 1.3 bicycles. Nearly two-thirds of Dutch people reportedly rode a bike at least once a week in 2022. Meanwhile, no other European country reported even half of its population cycling as frequently as once a week.This enthusiasm for everyday cycling is also reflected in the uptake of electric bicycles in the country. In 2020, e-bikes made up half of all bicycles sold that year for the first time. By 2022, the share of e-bikes sold in the Netherlands had grown to 57 percent while making up only a little over a fifth of bike sales across Europe.
