Rotterdam discounts dues for fourth year in a row

Not only will existing discounts on port dues be maintained but an extra 2% discount for all commodities is being given in addition to not passing on the costs of inflation. Furthermore, €5m (US$6.3m) of the dues will be devoted to initiatives aimed at making the port more sustainable.

Giving discounts and not passing on inflation will result in a comparative 8.6% discount with the result that shippers will jointly pay around € 30m less to the Port Authority in 2013.

For handling a transhipment container, the deepsea shipping company receives €1 discount per teu and the feeder shipping company €1.50 per teu. According to the port authority 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