Amsterdam expands river cruise facilities



Thursday, June 1, 2017 - 10:00 by ce-press

Amsterdam has two new landing points for river cruiseships. The cruise landing point at Westerdoksdijk has been in use since April 2017.

The landing point has space for two 135m-long river vessels docking alongside each other. “It’s an ideal location. From here, cruise passengers can easily walk into town, whilst it’s also a very quiet spot on the edge of the centre,” commented Monic van der Heyden, commercial manager cruises, Port of Amsterdam.

Every year, 467,000 passengers call in at Amsterdam as part of a river cruise. “Three-quarters of these visitors are repeat visitors. These people have already visited the city and wish to view Amsterdam from a different angle,” said Van der Heyden. “Westerdoksdijk is a sheltered spot amidst the busyness of the city. I therefore predict that in a few years’ time, it will be the place where all ships want to dock.”

Thanks to the installation of onshore power, local residents don’t have any concerns about contamination or noise pollution. Tour buses and taxis also have plenty of room on the wide landing point.

The commissioning of the Westerdoksdijk as a landing point for river cruises forms part of a plan that was put into operation three years ago to increase the total number of landing points in Amsterdam from 28 to 40. This is essential as river cruising in and around the capital has increased in popularity over the past few years. In 2013, 1,150 calls were made annually but, by 2016, there were 1,876.

Over the past few years, two landing points have been added in Zaandstad and four in the Coenhaven. Now the two landing points at Westerdoksdijk have also been added. A further four new landing points are currently being added at Ruyterkade-West.

The area around Amsterdam is also becoming increasingly popular. Van der Heyden explained: “The aim is to increase the spread of river cruises across the region. Haarlem, Hoorn, Huizen and Zaandam are also of great interest to shipping companies. Why would you visit those regions by bus, when you can do it by water?”
Amsterdam expands river cruise facilities
(c) Port of Amsterdam





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