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2023-10-11

Bunker Ship

Mass flow meter Bunker measurement system mandatory as of 1 January 2026

From 1 January 2026, the use of a bunker measurement system will be mandatory for bunker vessels in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, and the Port of Rotterdam. From then on, bunkering vessels in the two ports will have to have a certified system that indicates exactly how much fuel they supply to seagoing vessels. With this measure, the port authorities aim to make the bunkering market of Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Rotterdam more transparent, efficient and reliable.

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At the end of last year, the two ports announced that they would make it a requirement for bunker vessels to have a certified bunker measurement system on board. This follows independent research in the port of Antwerp-Bruges and the port of Rotterdam, which revealed recurring quantity issues in the bunker market.

In the past months, the ports consulted with various stakeholders to understand the needs and wishes. Together, the parties outlined a realistic roadmap to implement the bunker measurement system. In addition, the practicalities of introducing the system had to be thoroughly checked with regard to the differing legislative frameworks in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Currently, 40 out of 170 bunker vessels in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugge are equipped with a bunker measurement system. The port authorities are therefore aware that this measure will have a major impact on the bunker market. By selecting 1 January 2026 as the start date, the various companies in the bunker chain have sufficient time to adapt to the new measure. This future requirement was already included in the permits for bunker vessels in the port of Antwerp-Bruges. The permit for bunker transporters in Rotterdam is yet to be updated.

At the trade conference ARACON, which will be held on 19 and 20 October, the two ports will give a status update.

 

For press inquiries, contact:

press@portofantwerpbruges.com
+32 492 15 41 39

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About Port of Antwerp-Bruges

With an annual throughput of 278 million tonnes, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a world port in the heart of Europe. The port is a unique ecosystem of maritime throughput, logistics and industry, and is home to Europe’s largest integrated chemical cluster. As a hub for containers, general cargo and vehicles, and home to over 1,400 companies, it accounts for around 164,000 direct and indirect jobs and 21 billion euros in added value. This makes it Belgium’s most important economic engine.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to become the first world port that reconciles economy, people and climate. The Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority, a limited liability company of public law, manages the port platforms of Antwerp and Zeebrugge. The cities of Antwerp and Bruges are the shareholders. Jacques Vandermeiren is CEO, Johan Klaps (Vice-Mayor of Antwerp) is President of the Board of Directors, and Dirk De fauw (Mayor of Bruges) is Vice-President.