Netherlands: How Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Eindhoven Connect India to Europe’s Trade Arteries
- News Desk
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The India–Netherlands trade corridor has quietly grown from a shipping route into a powerful industrial partnership. Driven by the Port of Rotterdam’s efficiency and the tech strength of Amsterdam and Eindhoven, the Netherlands has become both a gateway and a knowledge hub for India—helping Indian exporters, ports, and manufacturers tap into Europe’s markets and advanced supply chains.
Strong economic foundations
The numbers show how deep this connection runs. Between 2000 and 2025, Dutch investments into India reached about US$53.3 billion, while bilateral trade stood at US$27.33 billion in FY 2023–24. India enjoys a healthy surplus here, reflecting the Netherlands’ dual role as both a key market and a re-export hub for Europe. In fact, nearly 75% of Dutch export value stays within Europe, meaning goods entering Rotterdam often reach France, Germany, and Belgium in no time.
Three Dutch hubs powering the corridor
Three Dutch hubs are central to India’s industrial ambitions: Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Eindhoven. Each plays a distinct but connected role in linking India to European markets and advanced supply chains.
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and the main maritime gateway for Asia–Europe trade. Container volumes have recently reached around 10.7 million TEU(Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit), with strong growth on Asia–Europe routes. Its highly automated terminals, strong rail and barge connections, and expanding liquid bulk and hydrogen infrastructure make it a key entry point for Indian petroleum products, chemicals and electronics heading into Europe.
Amsterdam complements this physical gateway with financial and corporate strength. Many international and Indian firms use the city as their European base. Its legal, banking and advisory ecosystem supports cross-border investments and acquisitions. Schiphol Airport also plays an important role in moving time-sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals and high-value electronics between India and Europe.
Eindhoven, known as the Brainport region, is the Netherlands’ high-tech centre. The High Tech Campus and surrounding ecosystem focus on micro-electronics, lithography, photonics and advanced manufacturing. This expertise aligns closely with India’s semiconductor goals, particularly in research, equipment and process engineering. Partnerships and technical exchanges with this region support India’s efforts to strengthen its domestic electronics and chip manufacturing capabilities.
Corporate Anchors Shaping the Corridor
Several major companies show how the India–Netherlands corridor works in practice.
ASML plays a key role in India’s semiconductor ambitions. As a global leader in lithography equipment, its technology is central to advanced chip manufacturing. Engagement between ASML and Indian stakeholders, including plans linked to the Dholera semiconductor project (India’s planned semiconductor fabrication facility at Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat), reflects how Dutch expertise is becoming part of India’s domestic chip ecosystem.
APM Terminals, part of A.P. Moller – Maersk, is strengthening India’s port infrastructure. The company has outlined multi-billion-dollar investment plans in terminals such as Pipavav (a major private sector port located in Gujarat, India), focusing on expanding capacity, improving automation and enhancing hinterland connectivity. The goal is to introduce efficiency and sustainability standards similar to those seen in Rotterdam.
Other companies add depth to the corridor. Shell is active in energy trade and low-carbon initiatives, including hydrogen projects. Philips supplies medical technology and diagnostic equipment to the Indian market. Consumer-facing firms, including global brewing and manufacturing groups, are also investing in local production and premium product lines.
Together, these companies connect technology, energy, logistics and consumer markets, reinforcing the Netherlands’ role as both a gateway and a strategic partner in India’s industrial growth.
Flow of goods in motion
Different commodities take different paths. Energy products move by tanker to Rotterdam before spreading across Europe via barges and pipelines. High-value goods—like pharmaceuticals and precision electronics—travel through Schiphol or use temperature-controlled maritime logistics. On a larger scale, the Netherlands’ inland rail and barge network delivers Indian goods quickly to Europe’s industrial centers.
The strategic drivers
Four key trends are strengthening this partnership:
Global supply-chain diversification in favour of India.
India–EU FTA talks that will make trade smoother.
Green shipping and hydrogen projects aligning with Europe’s climate goals.
Large infrastructure and tech investments by Dutch port and equipment firms in India.
Together, these factors are turning geography into long-term economic strategy.
What this means for India
For Indian businesses, this corridor provides direct access to advanced technologies, efficient logistics, and Europe’s largest network of trade connections. For policymakers, it highlights where investments—in ports, regulation, and R&D—can deliver big payoffs.
The road ahead
The India–Netherlands partnership is moving beyond trade. It’s now about shared growth in manufacturing, clean energy, and technology. As investments deepen and industries link up, the Rotterdam–Amsterdam–Eindhoven triangle is set to remain a vital engine connecting India to Europe’s high-value industrial network.
Note:- This article is part of EIJ’s ongoing Europe–India Supply Chain Series, where we spotlight the key European countries, cities, and companies shaping India’s trade networks. Each week, we explore one nation’s strategic role across industrial goods, logistics, retail sourcing, innovation, and critical intermediates. Over the coming weeks, the series will map the quiet infrastructure behind everyday commerce. Stay with us as we trace the supply routes that connect Europe and India — one country at a time.
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