Port dues in Rotterdam will be lowered next year to below the 2008 level. The existing discounts will be maintained, inflation will again not be passed on and the Port of Rotterdam Authority will be giving an extra two per cent discount on the port dues. In addition, € 5 million of the port dues will be devoted to sustainable business initiatives.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority decided this following constructive consultation with Deltalinqs (the Ports and industries’ association Rotterdam) and the VRC (Association of Rotterdam Shipbrokers and Agents).
8.6 Per Cent Discount
For several years now, the Port Authority has been giving discounts and not passing on inflation, due to the economic crisis. In 2013, this will result in an 8.6 per cent discount compared to port tariffs if inflation had been passed on over the past few years and no extra discount had been offered. As a result, shippers will jointly pay around € 30 million less to the Port Authority in 2013.
Binding Cargo to Rotterdam
Hans Smits, CEO of the Port Authority: 'Although throughput is rising slightly, a lot of companies are having a tough time. We hope that this massive discount will help our clients and bind cargo to Rotterdam. We are also sending out a positive signal by spending an extra € 5 million on initiatives by the business sector to make the port more sustainable.'
Consultation with the Market
The Port of Rotterdam Authority consults extensively with market parties every year before the tariffs are set. The starting point for this market consultation is always the level of inflation. As a result, the tariffs in 2013 should increase by 2.3 per cent. This rise in tariffs will be compensated for by a one-off discount in 2013 of 2.3 per cent for all commodities. In addition, the one-off discount of 4.3 per cent which applied in 2012 will be continued. On top of this, there will be an extra generic discount of 2 per cent. This all adds up to an 8.6 per cent discount.
Economic Recovery Discount
The one-off discount of 4.3 per cent that applies in 2012 for all commodities comprises 1.3 per cent compensation for inflation and 3 per cent "herstelkorting" (economic recovery discount). For the container sector, all of this 3 per cent discount will be used in 2013, as in 2012, for a discount for deepsea and feeder transhipment containers. For handling a transhipment container, the deepsea shipping company receives € 1 discount per teu and the feeder shipping company € 1.50 per teu. This discount provides an important stimulus for the development of Rotterdam as a transit port for container cargo by sea to or from areas in Northwest Europe and the Baltic.
ESI Maitained
The existing discount scheme for the cleanest ocean-going vessels (ESI discount of an average 5 per cent per ship) will be maintained.
€ 5 Million to Promote a More Sustainable Port
In consultation with Deltalinqs and the VRC, the Port of Rotterdam Authority also decided to make € 5 million available, on a one-off basis, for initiatives by the business sector to make the port more sustainable. Both the Port Authority and business sector consider it important for the port to become more sustainable, but are aware that it is difficult to fund projects in the current economic climate. In concrete terms, ideas include initiatives geared towards improving the modal split, improving the air quality, reducing fine dust and/or reducing noise pollution. In order to be eligible for funding from this budget of € 5 million, the projects must benefit at least two market parties and must concern activities which will continue after the one-off contribution. Deltalinqs and the Port of Rotterdam Authority will decide together which initiatives are to receive support. The idea is to spend the € 5 million in the period 2013-2014.
Inland Port Dues
As far as port dues for inland shipping are concerned, it was agreed that the environmental incentives would be continued. This means that clean ships will also receive discount next year and the most polluting vessels will pay more. Inland vessels which fail to meet the CCR 2 emission requirements pay 10 per cent more. Ships which comply with CCR 2 and have a Green Award certificate receive a 15 per cent discount. Ships which emit at least 60 per cent less fine dust and nitrogen, compared to the CCR 2 level, receive a 30 per cent discount on their port dues. The main purpose of this 30 per cent is to show the sector that it is worthwhile to invest in sustainability.
