The positive economy led to a 2.5% increase in the transhipment of goods at  Amsterdam port to 81.3 million tonnes in 2017.

Together with the other seaports in the North Sea canal area – Zaanstad, Beverwijk and Velsen-IJmuiden, total provisional transhipment rose to a record level of 100.8 million tonnes, the port announced on Friday.

The Amsterdam increase was mainly due to higher import and export of oil products and bulk agricultural products.

‘The record transhipment in 2017 for the region confirms our strong position in liquid and dry bulk and agricultural products,’ said chief executive Koen Overtoom. ‘We will strengthen this activity and at the same time attract other cargo flows and business activity, for example for energy transition and the circular economy. The port has a key role to play here.’

Amsterdam also welcomed 134 ocean-going cruise ships in 2017, compared to 125 in 2016. The number of ocean cruise passengers increased from 281,907 to 332,998 in 2017.

The port authority said the number of river cruise ships was unchanged on 2016 at 1,876 while total passenger numbers fell slightly.

The city council plans to move the cruise terminal to a new location, out of the city centre.