Amsterdam, Historic Center of Trade and Transportation

Amsterdam, which played a vital role in the history of global trade and finance, occupies a central position in the 21st century European economy. The Netherland’s largest city and capital, Amsterdam is a hub for shipping, logistics and transport. It is also home to more than half of all American and Asian-European distribution centers.

As the commercial and financial capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is the site of key industries, such as banking, diamonds, financial services and technology. International trade and transport, one of the biggest sectors of the local economy, accounts for about 20 percent of Amsterdam’s employment.

With an urban population of more than 935,000 and a metropolitan area population of about 1.6 million, Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a significant international hub for logistics and distribution. In 2024, it handled 67 million passengers and 1.5 million metric tons of cargo.

The Netherlands handles more maritime freight than any other European country, and the Port of Amsterdam is the fourth-largest cargo port in Europe. A network of canals and internal waterways connect Amsterdam to the interiors of the Netherlands and Germany. Industrial property and warehouses in key locations enable companies to access Amsterdam’s efficient distribution networks.

Prologis operates industrial properties and warehouses in the Amsterdam area.