Rotterdam Port Sets Dues for Three Years

 

Over the recent period, fixing the development of port dues for three years has provided the market with a lot of clarity. It is for this reason that, after constructive talks, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Deltalinqs, VRC and VNPI have again decided upon a multi-year agreement. 

 

Rotterdam is using this conservative rate of increase in port dues to increase its competitive position among the surrounding sea ports.

 

The Port Authority has adopted these specific measures to strengthen Rotterdam’s position as a container hub. Over the coming years, the port dues for tankers carrying crude oil will again be set at 1.5% below the overall increase, as was the case in the preceding period. This means the difference between port dues charged on crude and, for example, those charged on mineral oil products will be further reduced.

 

The inland shipping dues will rise by 1% per year for the next three years. In addition, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is going to update the system over this period in order to make it easier to use.

 

The Port Authority, Deltalinqs and VNPI have fixed rules on how the port dues rate is set each year. Through structured market consultation, the sector is meeting the government’s desire for self-regulation of the port dues. 

 

Among other things, this consultation takes inflation, market conditions and economic development into account. The port dues apply to the sea ports of Rotterdam, Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Maassluis, Dordrecht and Moerdijk.

 

Port dues are just one of the Port Authority’s sources of income and they are charged to the shipping companies that use Rotterdam. In 2016, the Port Authority received € 295 million in sea port dues and € 14 million in inland port dues. 

 

The other main source of income for the Port Authority, at € 349 million, comes from the rental and long-term leases of sites.