AMSTERDAM, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Authorities started on Friday to clean up an oil spill at Europe's biggest port, Rotterdam, that was caused by the previous day's severe storm, officials said.

Shipping was still partly disrupted at Rotterdam as a result of the storm, as were some barge operations on the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp route, officials said.

The spill, estimated to involve between 500 and 800 tonnes of crude oil, occurred on Thursday when a container vessel drifted due to the gale and struck an oil jetty at Rotterdam's Maasvlakte oil terminal.

"Two ships are cleaning the mess today and will most probably finish the job tomorrow," a port spokesman said.

The Rotterdam port is a major European oil trading hub and home to several oil refineries, including Europe's biggest. It is also a main centre for shipment and storage of oilseeds, animal feed and vegetable oils.

Gale-force winds and heavy rains hit northwestern Europe on Thursday, causing travel havoc and killing at least 27 people, including six in the Netherlands.

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