The container terminals situated directly on the North Sea have a depth of up to 19.65 metres at the edge. With the help of the best nautical service providers, container vessels arrive safely at the container terminals on the quayside within just an hour and the loading and unloading can begin. Turnaround times are unparalleled.

In Rotterdam, shipping companies can choose between several competing terminal operators, on the Maasvlakte, directly on the North Sea as well as in the Waalhaven/Eemhaven, closer to the European market. On the Maasvlakte, there are the ECT Delta Terminal, APMT and the Euromax Terminal, in the Waalhaven/Eemhaven the ECT City Terminal, RST and Uniport.

In 2013, the first container ships will be able to moor here at the Rotterdam World Gateway terminal (a consortium of terminal operator DP World and the shipping lines APL, Hyundai, MOL and CMA CGM), and a year later at a new APMT terminal. The Euromax Terminal will expand in time from the current Maasvlakte to the new port area.