UN/LOCODE: NLMOE📍 Netherlands
Port of Moerdijk (UN/LOCODE NLMOE)
❖ Coordinates: 51.7018°N, 4.6273°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Amsterdam
❖ UN/LOCODE: NLMOE
## About the Port
The Port of Moerdijk (UN/LOCODE: NLMOE) is a paramount logistical and industrial hub situated in the province of Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Geographically positioned at 51.70181669999999 Latitude and 4.6273499 Longitude, the port operates within the Europe/Amsterdam timezone (UTC+1 standard, UTC+2 daylight saving). Despite its classification as the largest inland port in the Netherlands, Moerdijk possesses direct maritime access to the North Sea via the Hollands Diep and Volkerak waterways, enabling it to accommodate deep-sea vessels. Functioning as a critical node in the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta, the port leverages advanced multimodal connectivity to synchronize seagoing traffic with inland waterway barges, rail freight, and road haulage. Its strategic location provides an indispensable gateway for the southern Netherlands, Flanders, and the Ruhr metropolis in Germany, distinguishing it as a vital reliever and complement to the hyper-congested megaports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.
## History
The genesis of the Port of Moerdijk dates to the late 1960s, when Dutch spatial planning authorities identified the need to decentralize industrial growth from the Randstad conurbation and stimulate economic development in Brabant. Construction of the Moerdijk harbor and its accompanying industrial park commenced in the early 1970s, founded on a mandate to facilitate bulk liquid transshipment and petrochemical manufacturing. Initially engineered for tanker and dry bulk operations, the port rapidly adapted to the containerization revolution of the late 20th century. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Moerdijk evolved into a specialized processing zone, integrating downstream chemical synthesis, energy generation, and advanced materials production. Its resilience and adaptability transformed the port into a strategically vital national asset, particularly during periods of congestion and capacity constraints at coastal terminals.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
The Port of Moerdijk features robust maritime infrastructure capable of handling panamax and aframax class vessels, with quay depths supporting drafts of up to 14.5 meters subject to tidal variances. The port encompasses multiple specialized terminals, including extensive liquid bulk tank farms operated by global storage majors, sophisticated dry bulk handling facilities, and dedicated container terminals such as those managed by Rietlanden Terminals.
### Multimodal Connectivity
Moerdijk’s operational superiority is derived from its seamless multimodal interface. The port provides direct ingress to the European inland waterway network, permitting uninterrupted barge traffic to Rotterdam, Antwerp, and deep into the German hinterland via the Rhine. Road logistics are optimized through immediate linkages to the A16, A17, and A58 motorways, facilitating rapid distributive trucking across the Benelux. Furthermore, the port is intricately linked to the Betuweroute—the dedicated freight railway corridor connecting the Rotterdam port complex to Germany—allowing efficient rail-borne transit of containers and bulk commodities to destinations as distant as Northern Italy and Central Europe.
### Storage and Industrial Zones
The port’s storage matrix includes vast tank capacities exceeding several million cubic meters for chemicals and petroleum derivatives, alongside climate-controlled silos for agricultural commodities. Heavy-lift zones are expressly designed for project cargo, including offshore wind turbine components. The adjacent Moerdijk Industrial Park spans over 2,000 hectares and hosts more than 300 enterprises, utilizing deep-sea access for just-in-time feedstock delivery and finished goods export.
## Economic Importance
Economically, the Port of Moerdijk is a cornerstone of the Noord-Brabant provincial economy and the broader Dutch maritime cluster, sustaining approximately 16,000 direct and indirect jobs. Governed by Port of Moerdijk N.V.—a public limited company owned by the Province of Noord-Brabant and the Municipality of Moerdijk—the port prioritizes sustainable industrialization and circular economy paradigms. By alleviating throughput pressure on primary coastal ports, Moerdijk enhances the systemic resilience of European supply chains. Continuous capital expenditure in green hydrogen infrastructure, biomass co-firing facilities, and electrified terminal equipment underscores its pivotal role in reconciling high-volume energy commodity handling with the Netherlands’ stringent carbon-neutral mandates.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
The cargo profile at Moerdijk is heavily weighted toward liquid bulk, including crude oil fractions, specialty chemicals, and vegetable oils, which constitute the dominant trade segment. Dry bulk operations focus on agricultural goods, industrial minerals, and biomass pellets destined for regional energy recovery facilities. Container throughput, driven by shortsea loops and feeder services, has expanded steadily, while breakbulk and project cargo frequently utilize the port’s uncongested open storage decks. Maritime traffic originates from Baltic, Mediterranean, and West African corridors, with inland navigation serving as the critical final-mile distribution mechanism. For authoritative nautical protocols, berth availability, and regulatory frameworks, maritime stakeholders routinely consult the official Port of Moerdijk authority↗ and the infrastructural oversight published by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management↗.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
NLMOE
Country
Netherlands
Province / Region
Noord-Brabant
Latitude
51.701817
Longitude
4.627350
Timezone
Europe/Amsterdam
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Moerdijk?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Moerdijk is NLMOE.
Where is Port of Moerdijk located?
The Port of Moerdijk is located in Netherlands, Noord-Brabant. Its coordinates are 51.7018°N, 4.6273°E.
What time zone is Port of Moerdijk in?
Port of Moerdijk operates in the Europe/Amsterdam time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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