Maasvlakte, Commercial port district in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Maasvlakte is a port district in Rotterdam that extends into the North Sea and contains deep-water terminals, rail lines, and berths designed for large cargo vessels. The landscape here is largely reclaimed land built for industrial shipping operations.
This port expansion began in 2009 and was built by adding massive amounts of sand from the seafloor to create new land above water. The project addressed the growing need for cargo space and deeper berths for larger vessels.
The FutureLand Information Centre helps visitors understand how the port shapes daily commerce and connection to the wider world. It shows the role this place plays in linking Rotterdam to global shipping routes and trade.
The area is vast and threaded with rail lines, roads, and waterways for cargo operations. It's best explored through the information centre or guided tours rather than wandering on foot, since it functions as an active working port.
Two automated container terminals here operate with almost no human workers, directing themselves through computer systems that handle thousands of containers daily. These are among the most advanced cargo-handling facilities in the world.
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