Dutch Logistics Sector | Europe's Gateway to Global Trade

Updated on 24 November 2024

The Netherlands is considered a world leader in the logistics sector, covering trade and industry. A hefty amount of the Dutch national income is earned abroad, due to consistent and sustainable economic growth in this sector and constant room for improvement. With the port of Rotterdam and Schiphol airport within a two-hour drive from every location, the entire globe is at your disposal if you choose to establish a logistics company in the Netherlands. The EU is also perfectly accessible in any direction with regular means of transportation.

The logistics sector is mainly focused on providing the best products and services through innovation, attracting talent and a good positioning of sectors nationally and internationally. Due to ever-increasing digitalization, the entire logistics process is constantly updated and improved, which makes trade and transport faster and more efficient than ever before. The Netherlands currently has nine sectors in which they are considered global leaders: the so-called top sectors. These are the top priorities investment-wise, which are accomplished by not only financial investments but also tax incentives, the removal of certain obstacles for trade, and guarantees.

Background and objectives

In 2010 the Dutch Cabinet initiated the top sector policy. The logistics sector is one of the nine sectors in which the Netherlands excels, which makes the country a global leader in this sector. With an added value of 53 billion euros per year and 646,000 jobs, logistics is of great economic importance to the country. These are not only companies that transport or export products, but also logistics and supply chain functions within shipping companies. The top sector of logistics supports companies from the other (top) sectors; their costs consist of 8–18% logistics. For these companies, good logistics are decisive for timeliness and delivery reliability, and thus for their market position.

The top sector of logistics wants to make a maximum contribution to strengthening the international competitive position of the Netherlands. The Logistics Top Team has drawn up an action program in which the ambition of the Top Sector is laid down: “In 2020, the Netherlands will have an international top position (1) in the handling of goods flows, (2) as a chain director of (inter) national logistics activities and (3) as a country with an attractive innovation and business climate for shipping and logistics businesses.”[4]

Needless to say, the logistics sector in the Netherlands will benefit your company one way or another. For example, if you plan on establishing a web shop to sell and distribute (your) products worldwide, the Netherlands may be one of your best options on the entire planet. Next to being a European Union member and thus, having access to the European Single Market, the Netherlands has many trade agreements with countries all over the globe. If you are active in the trade and transport sector yourself, you will find many interesting business opportunities in the Netherlands that might boost your company exponentially.

Read more about the fastest growing industries in The Netherlads