ZeroNorth and Vitol launch digital bunker trial in Port of Rotterdam

ZeroNorth, Vitol and the port of Rotterdam have today completed a first digital bunker delivery, marking the launch of a four-week trial. During this period, Vitol will carry out three to four bunker deliveries in the Port of Rotterdam, using ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (eBDN) solution. The aim is to demonstrate the benefits of digital over manual bunker delivery notes by assessing time savings during bunkering, enhanced operational efficiency and improved data quality.

The trial further aims to demonstrate the solution’s viability for the port’s operations, thereby enabling the Port of Rotterdam to be the first port in Europe to take steps to digitalise bunkering. With that, Rotterdam follows the example of the Maritime and Port Authority in Singapore (MPA), which was the world’s first port to implement and mandate eBDN. As two of the largest bunkering ports globally, Singapore and Rotterdam play crucial roles in catalysing global efforts to enhance efficiency in international shipping as part of the Singapore-Rotterdam Green and Digital Shipping Corridor. ZeroNorth and Vitol have both been part of driving this work in Singapore, where Vitol Bunkers, in close collaboration with ZeroNorth, became one of the first to adopt eBDN under MPA’s approval.

After the trial, the parties will fully integrate eBDN into the systems of the Port of Rotterdam and its suppliers, laying the foundation for a fully digitalised workflow. 

Commenting on the news, Saskia Mureau, Director Customer Digital of the Port of Rotterdam Authority says, “The port of Rotterdam is pleased to join Vitol and ZeroNorth in completing the first digital bunker delivery. This pilot allows us to demonstrate the benefits of electronic bunker delivery notes, including time savings, improved operational efficiency and enhanced data quality. This initiative underscores our commitment to innovation and sustainability and brings us one step closer to digitising bunker operations at one of the largest bunker ports in the world.”

Kenneth Juhls, Senior VP and Global Head of Customer Success at ZeroNorth, says “Transparency and efficiency in the bunker sector are crucial to the success of shipping’s energy transition. While the digitalisation of the bunker industry is gathering pace, significant opportunities to reduce operational costs and improve transparency in fuel transactions remain untapped. We’re thrilled to partner with Vitol to conduct this trial in Europe’s most important bunkering hub. This initiative is an important step forward and has the potential to serve as a catalyst for the widespread adoption of eBDN across the industry.”

Ian Butler, Head of Energy Transition – Shipping at Vitol, says “We are pleased to participate in this trial. Digitalisation has the potential to benefit the bunkering industry through increased efficiencies and greater operational transparency; to the benefit of our customers and the wider market.”