IJmuiden owes its rise and flourishing to the construction of the North Sea Canal which was completed in 1876. No alternative existed prior to that time between Rotterdam and Den Helder for sailing inland from the sea. Originally the mouth of the North Sea Canal was only used as a refuge harbour for the fishing vessels on the North Sea. The presence of the fishing vessels attracted traders to IJmuiden. An upward spiral was created, because the presence of traders led to more fishing activities being attracted, including private fish auctions. More and more traders and shipping companies established themselves in IJmuiden. 

On 10 April 1989 the Staatsvissershavenbedrijf (IJmuiden Fishing Port Authority) was privatised by the establishment of Zeehaven IJmuiden NV into which all assets and activities were incorporated. The structure of a private port manager with the participation of companies and authorities is unique in the Netherlands. As a result the entrepreneurial power and entrepreneurship are united in the Port of IJmuiden. Zeehaven IJmuiden NV has its own responsibility for the development of the Port of IJmuiden. The unique position of this private port manager is capitalised upon by having a sharp eye for developments in the market. By means of constant investments the port has been able to reinforce its competitive position and a good foundation was laid for the coming years. 

The port has a strong market position due to its favourable geographical location and the commercial clusters which are present. The sea, the mouth of the North Sea Canal and the presence of four clusters of activity (fish, offshore, ferry and cruise shipping and shortsea) are the strong points of the port. The favourable market position of many companies offers concrete leads for further expansion and in-depth development  of the sectors which are active in the port, namely:

• fresh fish,
• deep-frozen fish,
• cooling and deep-freeze sector,
• off-shore activities,
• ro-ro traffic,
• ferry and cruise shipping