Editing Delfzijl (section)

== Economy ==
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2015}}
[[File:Haven Delfzijl.jpg|thumb|[[Port of Delfzijl]] in 2011]]
[[File:Chemie Park2 Delfzijl.jpg|thumb|Chemie Park Delfzijl in 2011]]

The [[Port of Delfzijl]] is the fifth biggest [[seaport]] in the Netherlands and the home of an [[aluminium]] plant run by the company Aluminium Delfzijl (part of [[Corus Group|Tata Steel Europe]]). In 2004 the [[smelter]] produced a record 112,400 [[tonne]]s of liquid [[aluminium]]. The [[foundry]] produced 157,700 tonnes of raw product. Natural gas and petroleum fields in the area encourage industries to locate in the industrial zones.

Delfzijl is also known for its chemical industry and a large [[salt production]] plant held by [[AkzoNobel]] . On the edge of the town lies an industrial site with an area of 3 square kilometers which is one of the biggest employers in the area. This site is responsible for the second largest quantity of exported chemicals in the Netherlands (after [[Rotterdam]]), and is known for its major exports of [[chlorine]] and related products.

Favorable winds are used to make electricity in modern wind turbines located away from the historical districts. The old wind mills are only used on special occasions.

A modern fresh water shipping canal connects Delfzijl with Groningen City<ref>{{cite web|title=Eemskanaal|url=http://www.provinciegroningen.nl/loket/kaarten/vaarwegen/eemskanaal/|access-date=18 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092553/http://www.provinciegroningen.nl/loket/kaarten/vaarwegen/eemskanaal/|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> and most of The Netherlands, bypassing the historical canals that are used for recreation. Delfzijl has a strong tradition of seafaring and there is a specialized school to train employees for the shipping industry located nearby in the fresh water port area<ref>{{cite web|title=Sea Faring School|url=http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=search&sCompMonNr=516191|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140407000232/http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=search&sCompMonNr=516191|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 7, 2014|access-date=18 September 2015}}</ref> established in 1930. After some years at sea the graduates are highly regarded and recruited by local industry where they work as factory operators, mechanics, supervisors, or practical engineers. The inland fresh water port is extensive with several canals coming together, making a sheltered loading area and facilities for hauling out smaller ships for refitting and inspections.

Farmlands occupy most of the region producing potatoes, sugar beets, oil seeds, grain, dairy products, cattle and wool making Delfzijl a local market town and adding to the economy. Much commerce occurs with the agricultural center in Veendam that previously operated a chamber of commerce for the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Closing Of Veendam Chamber Of Commerce|date=18 June 2009 |url=http://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/82629/Kamer-van-Koophandel-in-Veendam-sluit-deuren|access-date=18 September 2015}}</ref> Building of small ships occurs along modern canals in nearby [[Winschoterdiep|Winschoten]], with rail and ship connections to Germany, adding to the commercial traffic around Delfzijl.

Fishing is done in the shallow seas with some of the boats operating out of Delfzijl and Farmsum harbor where much inland shipping is also handled.<ref>{{cite web|title=Farmsumer Haven|url=https://binnenvaartnet.nl/nl/locatie/delfzijl-farmsumerhaven/|access-date=18 September 2015}}</ref> An old sea gate at Farmsum was replaced by newer gates nearby leaving a sheltered inland harbor. Low tide exposes extensive mud flats that add to tourism and environmental activities. Delfzijl is a bird sanctuary during high tides that cover the feeding grounds with sea water.

Considerable lumber is imported to supplement domestic supplies. A wide variety of cargoes from all over the world are handled by the port, which also receives visiting navy ships from NATO countries. Delfzijl harbors can accommodate boats of various types as well as small to medium-sized ships. Large ships can be handled in the new Eemshaven port<ref>{{cite web|title=Eemshaven|url=http://www.groningen-seaports.com/DeHavens/Eemshaven/tabid/2154/language/en-US/Default.aspx|access-date=18 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127070016/http://www.groningen-seaports.com/DeHavens/Eemshaven/tabid/2154/language/en-US/Default.aspx|archive-date=2015-11-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> near by at the mouth of the Eems estuary. Together the two harbors are promoted as industrial development areas under the name Groningen Province Sea Ports. The two ports give regular service to north sea petroleum production and staging grounds for new constructions in the north sea fields.