Europe's biggest port that sees 140,000 ships every year

Once the busiest port in the world, it held that global crown from 1962 until 2004, when it was surpassed by the Port of Singapore. Today, the port of Shanghai has taken the top global spot, but Rotterdam remains a vital hub not only for the Netherlands but for the entire European economy. Strategically located at the mouth of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt river delta on the North Sea, Rotterdam serves as the gateway to Europe and is the largest port in the continent with the ability to fit over 13,000 football pitches inside it.

The Port of Rotterdam spans an area of approximately 30,888 acres and stretches over a distance of about 26 miles making it the largest seaport in the continent. It employs around 1,400 people directly and generates an added value of over £52.4 billion for the Netherlands' economy.

As an external EU customs border, goods entering the massive port can move freely across the Schengen zone once cleared, making it a preferred entry point for international freight, particularly from East Asia. Each year, the port handles around 14.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

The port therefore connects several maritime trade routes with the vast European hinterland.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, previously summed up the port's strategic value: "If the port of Rotterdam is doing well, the European economy is doing well."

Amid growing geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning Russia, the Port of Rotterdam has now announced it will be reserving space for ships with military equipment.

Dutch authorities are working closely with NATO and neighbouring ports like Antwerp to prepare for scenarios involving military logistics.

In the event of a conflict, the port is expected to play a central role in receiving and dispatching military equipment and supplies.

Chief Executive of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Boudewijn Siemons, told the Financial Times: "Not every terminal is fit for handling military cargo.

"If large volumes of military goods would have to be shipped, we'd look to Antwerp or other ports to take over some capacity and the other way around. We see each other less and less as competitors.

"And, of course, we compete where we have to, but we work together where we can."