Northern Europe, especially the northwest, has long been established as the primary gateway for goods moving in and out of wider continental Europe. The three largest European ports by tonnage handled, Rotterdam (the Netherlands), Antwerp (Belgium) and Hamburg (Germany), all lie in northwestern Europe. Moreover, of the 20 largest European ports, 10 lie on the North Sea coast, five are on the coasts of the Atlantic or Baltic seas, and only five are located on the Mediterranean coast. Trending Toward Increased Competition Europe Ports map According to an October 2011 report commissioned by the ports of Rotterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp, around two-thirds of economic activity takes place in the north of Europe. The Northern European ports' proximity to this large consumer base partially explains their importance.