ZeroNorth, Vitol launch digital bunker trial in Rotterdam to streamline marine fuel ops

Global energy and commodities trading company Vitol and Danish technology provider ZeroNorth have teamed up with the Port of Rotterdam to launch a digital bunker trial and establish “a foundation for digitalizing bunker operations in Europe’s largest bunker hub”.

As informed, the companies have already completed the first digital bunker delivery, which marked the launch of a four-week trial.

During this period, Vitol will carry out three to four bunker deliveries in the Port of Rotterdam using ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (eBDN) solution.

The aim of this project is to demonstrate the benefits of digital over manual bunker delivery notes by assessing time savings during bunkering, enhanced operational efficiency, and improved data quality.

The trial further aims to demonstrate the solution’s viability for the port’s operations, thereby enabling the Port of Rotterdam to be the first port in Europe to take steps to digitalize bunkering. 

With that, Rotterdam follows the example of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore), which was the world’s first port to implement and mandate eBDN. The initiative was launched in September last year and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) formally approved the use of electronic bunker delivery notes during the 80th Marine Environment Protection Committee session.

Hardcopy BDNs or e-BDNs are valid provided they meet the relevant requirements of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI.

Meanwhile, in July this year, Vitol and ZeroNorth deployed electronic bunker delivery notes on twelve barges in Singapore, supporting MPA Singapore’s goal of enabling digitalized bunkering.

After the trial, the parties will fully integrate eBDN into the systems of the Port of Rotterdam and its suppliers, laying the foundation for a fully digitalized workflow. 

“The port of Rotterdam is pleased to join Vitol and ZeroNorth in completing the first digital bunker delivery. This pilot allows us to demonstrate the benefits of electronic bunker delivery notes, including time savings, improved operational efficiency and enhanced data quality. This initiative underscores our commitment to innovation and sustainability and brings us one step closer to digitising bunker operations at one of the largest bunker ports in the world,” Saskia Mureau, Director Customer Digital of the Port of Rotterdam Authority said.

“Transparency and efficiency in the bunker sector are crucial to the success of shipping’s energy transition. While the digitalisation of the bunker industry is gathering pace, significant opportunities to reduce operational costs and improve transparency in fuel transactions remain untapped,” Kenneth Juhls, Senior VP and Global Head of Customer Success at ZeroNorth, said.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Vitol to conduct this trial in Europe’s most important bunkering hub. This initiative is an important step forward and has the potential to serve as a catalyst for the widespread adoption of eBDN across the industry.”

“We are pleased to participate in this trial. Digitalisation has the potential to benefit the bunkering industry through increased efficiencies and greater operational transparency; to the benefit of our customers and the wider market,” Ian Butler, Head of Energy Transition – Shipping at Vitol, stated.