Updated 12 November 2024, 10:20am
6% tariff increase for Rotterdam port in 2025
The Port of Rotterdam Authority has announced a 6% general increase in seaport and inland port tariffs for 2025. Following this, tariffs will rise by 3.5% in 2026 and 2.5% in 2027.
Beginning in January 2025, the Authority will implement a new method for calculating seaport dues, which will include additional considerations beyond vessel size and cargo volume. The revised system, designed to simplify the tariff structure, will replace several existing discounts with adjustments to the base tariffs. However, discounts linked to sustainability and efficiency are being expanded.
Under the new system, vessels scoring highly on the Environmental Ship Index or holding a Green Award certificate may qualify for lower seaport dues. The calculation will also take into account the load factor, incentivising efficient cargo capacity use by reducing dues per tonne for optimally loaded vessels.
In addition, a 5% increase in inland port dues for motorised vessels will be introduced to fund sustainability initiatives in the inland shipping sector. Operators sharing emission data via the Green Award system can offset this increase with a 5% discount. Enhanced discounts are also offered based on Green Award certification levels, with Platinum-certified vessels receiving a full waiver on inland port dues.
A separate 5% discount is available to barge operators who share real-time location data with the Port Authority, aiding port safety and berth management.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges announces 2.86% tariff increase for 2025
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has announced tariff adjustments to take effect on January 1, 2025. The Board of Directors has set a general increase of 2.86%, in line with the August 2024 Consumer Price Index (CPI), following consultations with the port community. The adjustments apply to a range of tariffs across port services, affecting both Antwerp and Bruges-Zeebrugge platforms.
Key tariff increases
Starting in January, a 2.86% increase will apply to:
- Sea-going vessels, inland shipping (Antwerp), and port area fees at Bruges-Zeebrugge.
- Usage of the 800-ton floating crane ‘Brabo’ (Antwerp), quays, storehouses, and terrains within Antwerp’s port area.
- Catering services within Antwerp’s port area.
- Floating dry docks.
Towage tariffs will see separate adjustments. In the Antwerp docks, towage fees will rise by 2.57%, while Zeebrugge towage tariffs will increase by 3.11%.
Maritime specific adaptations
Changes to tariffs for sea-going vessels include:
- An increase in waste contributions for vessels, with fees for smaller vessels (up to 3,000 GT) rising from €180 to €200 and for larger vessels (over 3,001 GT) from €250 to €270. The variable waste contribution will increase to €0.023 per GT, while the maximum waste contribution will rise from €1,200 to €1,250. A 10% discount will be introduced for vessels with an ISO14001 environmental certification.
- Waste disposal costs for the Bruges-Zeebrugge area will increase from €20 to €25 per m³.
- For the Antwerp port area, deposit fees will now align with those at Zeebrugge, resulting in a 100% increase in the invoice tonnage fee.
Conditions for maintaining a bulk line designation will also change, requiring 100,000 tons of dry bulk or 300,000 tons of liquid bulk annually to retain the designation.
Inland navigation and concessions
New quarterly subscription rates for commercial and estuary vessels are set for both Antwerp and Zeebrugge at 18 times the base rate. Adjustments will also be made to surcharge calculations for official reporting, and the daily rate for non-commercial recreational boating will be removed.
Several tariffs, such as shore power, drinking water, and ship operational waste fees, will remain unindexed, with costs reflecting actual consumption and processing expenses.
Licence fees and additional changes
Concession fees and phased-out agreements at both Antwerp and Zeebrugge will also increase by 2.86%, including those linked to depot regimes and commercially varied base fees. However, rates with specific indexing agreements are exempt from this CPI adjustment.
Piloting and mooring adjustments
The Brabo Group’s fees for mooring, unmooring, and piloting services behind the locks will see a 2.86% increase.