Amsterdam Times

Jumbo-Visma Secures New Multi-Year Sponsorship After Grand Tour Success

The Dutch cycling team finalized a title sponsorship agreement with a group of European technology and retail companies, providing funding to retain riders and invest in performance development.

Dutch Universities Cap Non-EU Enrollment in English-Language Bachelor’s Programs

Universities introduced tighter limits on international students in English-taught degrees as political pressure grows over housing shortages and domestic access to higher education.

Maersk and Port of Rotterdam Open Green Methanol Bunkering Terminal

The Port of Rotterdam and Maersk launched dedicated infrastructure for refueling methanol-powered ships serving major Asia-Europe trade routes.

Netherlands Scrapped €177 Million Pandemic Preparedness Budget, Evaluation Finds

A newly published review found that a €177 million preparedness allocation was cancelled, prompting criticism from health officials and opposition lawmakers over the country’s readiness for future health emergencies.

Amsterdam Approves Emergency Zoning Measures for 5,000 Affordable Homes

The city council invoked emergency planning powers to accelerate construction of 5,000 subsidized apartments in western Amsterdam as housing affordability pressures intensify.

Dutch Banks Tighten Commercial Property Lending as Office Vacancies Persist

ING and Rabobank are increasing capital buffers and applying stricter lending standards to commercial real estate projects amid high vacancy rates across the Randstad.

NXP Wins EU Funding for Next-Generation Automotive Chip Research

Eindhoven-based NXP Semiconductors received European Chips Act support to expand research into processors for autonomous and electric vehicles.

Dutch Water Boards Seek Billions for Reinforcement of More Than 300 Kilometers of Dikes

Regional water authorities asked the Infrastructure Ministry for major new funding to strengthen primary flood defenses as sea levels rise and winter rainfall intensifies.

Shell Reshapes Pernis Refinery to Expand Biofuel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production

Shell is decommissioning older crude-processing units at its Pernis complex near Rotterdam as it develops a large biofuel and sustainable aviation fuel facility.

Dutch Government Opens Bidding for IJmuiden Ver Offshore Wind Zone

The Netherlands launched the tender process for its largest offshore wind concession, aimed at supplying gigawatts of renewable electricity to industrial centers including Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

Rotterdam Port Works Through Cargo Backlog After Dockworker Strikes

Operations are gradually normalizing at Rotterdam and other Dutch ports after industrial action halted loading, towing and inspections, leaving delayed cargo amid continuing congestion from Red Sea shipping diversions.

Netherlands Revises Nitrogen Policy in Bid to Restart Construction Projects

The Agriculture and Nature Ministry proposed changes to nitrogen restrictions near Natura 2000 areas to unlock stalled housing and infrastructure projects, while environmental groups said they would challenge the plan.

Dutch Inflation Falls to 1.8% as Energy Costs and Retail Prices Ease

Statistics agency CBS reported inflation below the European Central Bank’s 2% target, supported by lower wholesale energy prices and stronger supermarket competition.

Dutch Grid Congestion Forces RIVM to Postpone Utrecht Headquarters Move

Electricity network constraints have indefinitely delayed the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment’s relocation, highlighting the growing impact of limited grid capacity on public and private investment.

ASML Begins Construction of 35-Hectare Brainport Eindhoven Campus

ASML has started building a major manufacturing and logistics site near Eindhoven Airport designed to accommodate 20,000 workers by 2029 as global demand for advanced semiconductor equipment rises.

Netherlands Tightens Semiconductor Export Controls in Coordination With United States

The Dutch Foreign Ministry is finalizing tougher restrictions on advanced chipmaking equipment exports to China as the government balances security concerns with ASML’s dependence on global markets.

Dutch Public Transport Halted Nationwide as Unions Strike Over Social Security Cuts

A 24-hour strike by FNV and CNV brought rail, tram and bus services to a standstill across much of the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, while Eurostar and ICE cross-border services were also suspended.

Amsterdam Expands High-Speed Cycling Routes to Surrounding Suburbs

Amsterdam is completing new dedicated cycling corridors linking the city center with growing suburban municipalities as authorities seek to reduce car traffic and support longer-distance e-bike commuting.

The Hague Restricts New Dark Stores in Residential Neighborhoods

Municipal authorities have adopted zoning rules effectively blocking new rapid-delivery dark stores in densely populated areas after complaints about noise, traffic and disruption to local retail.

Amsterdam Zuidas Office Vacancy Falls to Near Zero as International Firms Move In

Premium office space in Amsterdam’s Zuidas financial district is becoming increasingly scarce as financial institutions and multinational companies expand their presence in the area.

Wageningen Researchers Develop Scalable Precision Fermentation Process for Dairy Proteins

Scientists at Wageningen University and Research have published findings on a precision fermentation method designed to produce synthetic dairy proteins at commercial scale.

Heineken Introduces Blockchain Tracking for Agricultural Supply Chains

Heineken is working with European technology companies to track barley and hops through blockchain systems as it seeks to comply with European Union deforestation rules.

Dutch Water Boards Deploy Autonomous Drones to Inspect Dikes and Levees

Regional water authorities are using autonomous drones equipped with thermal and structural sensors to monitor flood defenses and identify weaknesses before extreme weather worsens them.

Prosus Increases Investment in European Artificial Intelligence Startups

Amsterdam-listed Prosus is allocating more capital to early-stage artificial intelligence and machine learning companies across Europe as it seeks to strengthen the region’s technology sector.

Adyen Expands Payment Licensing Across Asia and Latin America

Amsterdam-based payments company Adyen is securing additional acquiring licenses in emerging markets as it expands infrastructure for multinational enterprise customers.

ING Expands Generative AI Use Across Corporate Banking Compliance

ING is rolling out generative artificial intelligence tools to automate parts of anti-money laundering and corporate compliance work, aiming to reduce costs and regulatory risk.

Philips Wins Major Medical Imaging Contracts With U.S. Hospital Networks

Philips has secured several large procurement agreements to supply advanced diagnostic imaging systems in the United States as the company focuses increasingly on medical technology and digital health.

Dutch Government Funds Eindhoven Transport Expansion as Brainport Growth Strains Infrastructure

The government has released additional money for highways and public transport around Eindhoven after lobbying from technology companies including ASML and NXP over growing congestion.

KLM Secures Long-Term Sustainable Aviation Fuel Supplies

KLM has signed multiple long-term agreements with European biofuel producers to increase sustainable aviation fuel use across its network in line with new European Union requirements.

Rabobank Launches Major Financing Facility for Sustainable Dutch Farming

Rabobank has introduced a multibillion-euro lending program offering lower-cost financing to farmers shifting toward circular and nitrogen-neutral production methods.