Visitors Info - History

Delfzijl

Already in the 16th century, the Port of Delfzijl was mentioned in maritime documents. In the second part of the 20th century, a strong industrial centre developed in the port area. By now, Delfzijl is a major international industrial and trading port.

Eemshaven

In 1968, the Dutch government proclaimed the Eemsmond are an economic spearhead area. One of the core developments is the development of a deep-sea port, Eemshaven. The new harbour is officially opened by H.M. Queen Juliana in 1973. The start is hesitant. By the late 1990s, this changes. The port is fast developing into a full service port complex and a logistic hub in the sea routes of northwest Europe.

The inner harbours

Inland shipping was encouraged strongly in Groningen already as early as the second half of the 19th century. A new canal was dug between Groningen and Delfzijl, the Eemskanaal. The canal is a major boost to inland shipping traffic. Over the years, much infrastructural work has been completed to endorse inland shipping. The recent upgrading of the Lemmer-Delfzijl shipping route has been the tentative conclusion of this. Delfzijl has two inland ports by now, Farmsumerhaven and the Oosterhornhaven.

For an extended description of the history of the Groningen Seaports, please click on the PDF-file ‘The history of the Groningen Seaports’.