The four authority ports: Amsterdam, Zaanstad, Velsen/IJmuiden and Beverwijk have all seen healthy growth over the last few years and Amsterdam, in particular, leased record amounts of land in 2006 and 2007.

Last year, Amsterdam enjoyed 7.1% growth with volumes rising to 65.4m tonnes and overall the four experienced a 4.1% increase with 87.8m tonnes handled last year. "This is still smaller than the growth in 2006 but we anticipated this; we are not China and cannot have double-digit growth every year, but the authority expects to see a growth of 5%-10% this year," said Mr Gerson.

The emphasis on quality rather than quantity matches the political vision of the city of Amsterdam. A major example of the brake being applied to growth for growth's sake can be seen in the oil products and coal sectors. Oil products have been one of the major drivers behind Amsterdam's growth and Amsterdam is now the number one export port for gasoline products in Europe and also a global player.

"It is a nice scale but it is good to slow down a little," said Mr Gerson, pointing out that Amsterdam "is going to content itself" with five oil products terminals, including Vopak, which is still awaiting the required environmental permits to establish operations and anticipates a decision in the summer.

Alongside Vopak will be BP, Eurotank, NuStar and Oiltanking and Mr Gerson says the list will not be extended to others looking to set up operations ndash; though existing operators will be able to expand. "This fits in with our policy of a better use of existing facilities," he said. The cap on expansion is not based purely on space considerations. It ensures that Amsterdam will not depend on one sector while environmental issues are also a major factor.

The coal arena also faces a similar situation. Rietlanden's third site is likely to represent the last expansion in a sector in which demand is certain to increase over the next 20 years. Mr Gerson is confident the port is equipped to meet this future demand.

One area the authority would like to expand is the container business and, he says, it would welcome the second phase of the container terminal. A further 55 ha earmarked for the container industry is located next to the Ceres Paragon Terminal, which can handle around 1m teu. Ceres Paragon Terminal is currently only a third full but it is hopeful a new loop from the Grand Alliance will see this increase to around 50% this year.

The NYK-owned facility has rights on the extra parcel of land for another year and when fully developed the entire site could handle 3m teu. There is speculation that another operator could lease the site ndash; and rumours persist about ECT's participation ndash; though Mr Gerson stresses that Ceres Paragon has first option. "The authority likes to support its clients," he said. "The situation is totally different from that of three years ago when Ceres had not got off the ground and it is now increasing year-on-year."

With space at a premium, the authority is keenly aware it has to be guarded about leasing land and to use every square metre to the optimum. In the last two years it has leased out record amounts, including 83 ha last year. Clearly this activity cannot continue at that pace. Mr Gerson says the port has 350 ha of wet (quayside) and dry land available. "We can do more with the existing facilities and we talk to companies which are hardly using their quaysides," he added. A prime example of this has been the relocation of several timber importing firms.

Today marks the official opening of Greenmills ndash; an unusual biofuel project in Amsterdam. Three companies who recycle organic materials to create energy are being brought together on a 9 ha site in the Horn harbour.

Noba Vetveredeling, an oil, grease and fatty acids trading company in the animal feed industry and energy sector will have storage capacity of more than 75,000 tonnes.

Rotie ndash; a large collector and processor of used vegetable oils, greases and biodegradable materials ndash; will produce around 40m gallons of biodiesel a year and will also have a facility that converts vegetable oil into 10MW of sustainable energy.

Orgaworld will take organic waste from the catering, food and luxury foods industry. It will be fermented and generate over 25m cu m of biogas.

A special tank station in the Horn harbour will sell biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas. Electricity produced will be used by the companies and will also supply the grid. In fact, Greenmills expects to meet the electricity demands of 25,000 households a year.

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