With sustainability in mind, Port of Rotterdam sets tariffs for next 3 years

November 12, 2024, by Naida Hakirevic Prevljak

In line with its goal to become carbon-neutral by 2050, the Dutch Port of Rotterdam Authority has set the port’s tariffs for the next three years, placing special emphasis on sustainability.

As informed, the method for calculating the seaport and inland port dues will change from January 1, 2025.

The seaport dues were always calculated based on the vessel size and type and quantity of throughput. A sustainability component is being added based on the size of a vessel. This new calculation method entails a more significant role for sustainability and efficient loading, according to the port authority.

Last year, the port authority also unveiled a port fee reduction for ships that bunker sustainable fuels in Rotterdam, supporting the Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA). The port now offers a port fee reduction for large container vessels when bunkering sustainable fuels in Rotterdam.

Seaport tariffs

The general indexation of the current seaport and inland port tariffs amounts to 6% for 2025. For the two subsequent years, these amount to 3.5% in 2026 and 2.5% in 2027. As of 2025, several existing discounts on seaport dues are being abolished. This is to simplify the overall calculation of seaport dues. The abolition of the discounts will be compensated in the basic tariffs. Three discounts, aimed at sustainability and efficiency, are being increased.

From January 1, 2025, if a sea-going vessel has a high score on the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), an international standard for the sustainability of sea-going vessels, the total seaport dues could be lower for a shipping company, also when a vessel has a so-called Green Award certificate.

Furthermore, the load factor will also count in the new seaport tariff. The seaport dues per transhipped tonne of cargo will be lower when a vessel’s shipping capacity is used as efficiently as possible. That will also have a positive effect on emissions per transhipped tonne.

Putting a spotlight on sustainability and efficiency

This is the first change to port tariffs since 2022. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is said to place significant importance on implementing these changes committed to sustainability and efficiency,

“Port of Rotterdam wants to be climate neutral by 2050, while remaining vital and competitive. These changes to the port tariffs are part of that vision. I am pleased that we can make this happen with Deltalinqs and the Association of Rotterdam Shipbrokers and Agents (VRC),” Matthijs van Doorn, commercial director at Port of Rotterdam Authority, commented.

“By considering sustainability and efficiency in the seaport and inland shipping dues, the companies are encouraged to accelerate sustainability in the port, also in terms of inland shipping. Furthermore, the system is now much simpler. We thank all parties involved for the thorough and careful process,” Victor van der Chijs, Deltalinqs Chair, said.

Investing in future-proof shipping and the port complex

“Shipping companies are currently making large and risky investments associated with energy efficiency and sustainable vessels. They sail on methanol as fuel, among others. It is good that these shipping companies are being rewarded for their efforts. We have made good agreements with each other. It is important for the Port of Rotterdam Authority to continue investing in a safe port with an excellent physical and digital infrastructure and good connections,” Kees Groeneveld, Chair of the Association of Rotterdam Shipbrokers and Agents (VRC), emphasized.

Sustainability and transparency in inland shipping

There is additional attention to sustainability in how the inland port dues are calculated. From 2025, a sustainability contribution of 5% is being added. That means the inland port dues for motorized vessels are being increased by 5%. The revenues from this increase will be reserved and used to contribute to sustainability initiatives in the inland shipping sector.

Skippers who share their emission data with the Port of Rotterdam Authority via the Green Award system can neutralize this increase through a 5% discount on inland port dues.

The current environmental differentiation scheme will be replaced by an incentive scheme based on Green Award certificates. Vessels with Bronze and Silver certificates will receive a 15% discount, vessels with Gold certificates will receive a 30% discount, and vessels with Platinum certificates will receive a 100% discount on the inland port dues. For barges that share location data via a tracker with the Port of Rotterdam, a 5% discount on the inland port dues applies.