The Port of Rotterdam announced it will begin offering a substantial port fee reduction for ships that bunker sustainable fuels as part of its efforts to support the early adoption of new green fuels including methanol and in the future ammonia. The effort is ahead of the plans to launch green corridors from Rotterdam both in the Baltic and globally to Singapore.
To qualify, a ship has to bunker alternative fuels in Rotterdam with at least a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gases. Port executives highlight that the fee reduction for large container vessels when bunkering sustainable fuels in Rotterdam can run up to €500,000 in total. However, the Port of Rotterdam Authority has determined that the discount will not apply to bio-blended fuel oil, marine gas oil, or marine diesel oil, as the market for these alternatives is already mature in Rotterdam.
The reduction of fees is being launched ahead of the green corridor and to support the recently announced Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA). The port plans to recognize and encourage front runners on the road to maritime decarbonization. Well-known consumer brands including Amazon, Electrolux, Ikea, and Philips, have committed to ZEMBA, an initiative of coZEV, which recently launched a request for proposals for the transport of 600,000 containers on ocean-going container vessels powered by zero-emissions fuels.
