Dutch maritime industry groups are pressing the government to address a widening regulatory gap that they say is pushing bunker fuel business away from the Port of Rotterdam and toward neighbouring countries.
According to Ship & Bunker, a coalition of Dutch maritime organisations published a position paper last week warning that inconsistent implementation of European renewable fuel rules across member states is prompting shipowners to bunker outside the Netherlands. The paper was jointly authored by Deltalinqs, the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners, VOTOB, and Dutch independent fuel suppliers association NOVE.
Regulatory Divergence Driving Costs Higher
The organisations argue that the Netherlands’ approach to the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) has pushed up marine fuel costs more than in competing markets. As reported by Ship & Bunker, the Dutch implementation requires bunker suppliers to either blend renewable fuels into their products or purchase emissions reduction units, while also restricting the use of used cooking oil as a feedstock for biofuel production.
The paper contrasts this with the regulatory approaches taken by Belgium and Germany, claiming the resulting price differential is steering demand toward ports in those countries.
Market Data Points to a Widening Gap
Ship & Bunker notes that its own reporting this week showed Rotterdam’s combined conventional and biofuel bunker sales fell 25.7% year-on-year to 1.75 million mt in the second quarter of 2026. Over the same period, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges recorded a 5.5% year-on-year increase in conventional marine fuel and biofuel sales, according to the report.
The Dutch industry groups also raised concerns about carbon leakage, suggesting that ships may be choosing to bunker conventional, higher-carbon fuels at other ports rather than opting for lower-carbon alternatives available in Rotterdam.
Call for Coordinated Action
The coalition is urging the Dutch government to work with neighbouring countries toward a more consistent regulatory framework for marine fuels. They are also calling for measures to stem further losses of bunkering business while protecting ongoing investment in future marine fuel infrastructure, Ship & Bunker reports.
Deltalinqs, one of the paper’s co-authors, represents companies operating within the Port of Rotterdam.
Does this matter to you?
Shifts in bunkering demand between major European hubs can influence fuel availability, pricing, and logistics planning across the region. Vessel operators and charterers routing through North Sea ports may find relative cost and fuel-type availability changing between Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, and other nearby ports depending on how this regulatory situation develops. Bunker traders and suppliers with operations spanning multiple European ports may also see shifting volumes as relevant to commercial planning. The source material does not provide details on specific fuel grades affected or a timeline for potential regulatory changes, so the broader operational impact remains to be seen.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
