the walloon port in rotterdam

by Angelique Rademakers

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Waalhaven (Rotterdam)

General data
Place
Rotterdam
Visitors
Side branch of
New Meuse

Portal
Maritime


Overview of the Waalhaven in 2006 from the 12th floor of Waelestein
De Waalhaven is one of the dug harbors on the left bank of the Maas in Rotterdam. With its surface of 310 ha. she is the largest dug port basin in the world. The Waalhaven ends in the Nieuwe Maas and is therefore directly connected to the sea via the Scheur and the Nieuwe Waterweg.
Long before there was talk of the Waalhaven, a number of companies had established themselves along the river at the Sluisjesdijk, which were engaged in the storage and / or trade of, among other things, petroleum. The first was Pakhuismeesteren in 1876. These had all been moved in 1935 in connection with the then desired destination of the area.
On 13 June 1907, the municipal council of Rotterdam took the decision to construct the Waalhaven and to expropriate it from the polder Robbenoord and Plompert. The polder was dissolved in 1913. In 1907 was also started with the first excavations. Dredged material was largely towed to the Waalhaven ZZ plan area. The first excavation was completed in 1908.
1910- 2nd phase of the excavation
1912 - Widening of the 2nd phase. Waalhaven ZZ is still partly polder as in the situation before 1907
In 1919 it was decided to build an airport south of the Waalhaven. From this airport - which was given the appropriate name Airport Waalhaven - an air freight servi