Mainly due to a mega port about 80 km to the south, it is not always realized that Amsterdam has been one of the most prominent harbors in Europe for centuries. This is mainly attributed to constant new initiatives to maintain - and strengthen - that position. One of those initiatives was the foundation of Havenclub Amsterdam on September 20, 1950.

In the years of reconstruction after World War II there was a need for a network between managers of companies involved in the harbor- and transport activities in the North Sea Canal region. Although Amsterdam has a central function, these activities cover the whole North Sea Canal area from IJmuiden to the Dutch capital. The importance of these activities is proven by the fact that about 70.000 people annually earn about five billion euro in the ports in this region. A great number of companies and organizations all are somehow - one way or other - linked together.

The position of Amsterdam as leading harbor is not unthreatened. It never has been. Other ports also try to attract as many cargo flows as possible. They compete on rates as well as on service level. For keeping and maintaining a service level as high as possible against as low as possible costs an optimal cooperation between all companies and organizations involved in the harbor-, transport- and related activities in the region is indispensable. This is only possible when decision makers know each other thoroughly.

Personal contacts play a very important role. In order to contribute to these personal contacts, the tried and tested in shipping C.W.E. Langereis, J.L. Nadort and P. Oostendorp established the Havenclub Amsterdam on September 20, 1950. Ever since that day there is - with the exception of the summer months - a monthly meeting where experiences are exchanged. The Havenclub Amsterdam intends to fill the need for a network by being thé meeting place for people in and around the harbor in the most wide sense of the word.

Despite the more the half a century history the Havenclub Amsterdam has been able to attract new (and relatively young) people, enroll them as member after a short introduction procedure and make them actively involved in the well being of our centuries old port.