Which European port is the largest by total cargo throughput?

The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port by total cargo throughput.

Located in the Netherlands on the North Sea, Rotterdam sits at the mouth of the Rhine and Meuse river systems. That position gives it inland connections to major industrial and consumer regions in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and beyond.

Rotterdam handles containers, crude oil, petroleum products, coal, chemicals, ores, agricultural cargo and other bulk goods. Its port complex stretches across a large area of docks, terminals, refineries and logistics facilities.

Rotterdam is sometimes confused with the world’s busiest container port, a title that depends on the year and the measurement used. Rotterdam’s distinction here concerns total cargo throughput in Europe, including bulk commodities as well as containers.