KNSM stands for the Koninklijke Nederlandsche Stoomboot-Maatschappij, the Royal Dutch Steamboat Shipping company which used to have its headquarters and its docks on the island.

In 1956 the KNSM celebrated its centennial, but the decolonization of the Dutch East Indies and the growth of cargo transport marked the end of the company.

[8] The redevelopment of the island was part of a masterplan for turning the entire Eastern Docklands into modern residential areas to allow for the expansion of the city.

"[7] Loods 6, a building typifying 1950s design and architecture currently contains artists' work spaces, a gallery, and an art exchange [12] also houses an exposition dedicated to the island's history.

When the KNSM celebrated its centennial, in 1959, the employees donated a group of sculptures and a fountain, dedicated to Amphitrite and made by Dutch/Flemish sculptor Albert Termote [nl].