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ZeroNorth and Vitol Launch Digital Bunkering Trial at Port of Rotterdam

In a move aimed at reshaping the bunkering landscape, ZeroNorth, Vitol, and the Port of Rotterdam have completed their first digital bunker delivery this week, marking the start of a four-week trial. This collaboration leverages ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (eBDN) solution to streamline the bunkering process by moving away from traditional paper-based methods. Over the trial period, Vitol is set to conduct three to four bunker deliveries at Europe’s largest bunker hub, evaluating the digital system’s impact on efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.

The adoption of eBDN at the Port of Rotterdam sets the stage for Europe’s initial steps in digital bunkering, with the port hoping to join Singapore—the world’s first to mandate eBDNs under its Maritime and Port Authority—as a global leader in digital fuel delivery documentation. Rotterdam’s adoption of this technology marks an important step in the ongoing collaboration between two of the world’s largest bunkering hubs, which are actively working on the Singapore-Rotterdam Green and Digital Shipping Corridor. This corridor seeks to improve environmental sustainability and efficiency across international shipping routes, and the eBDN system plays a key role in reducing paper usage, cutting down on human errors, and speeding up operations.

Previously, both ZeroNorth and Vitol had played crucial roles in driving digital bunkering in Singapore. Vitol Bunkers, with ZeroNorth’s support, became one of the first companies to adopt eBDN under the MPA’s guidelines, setting a standard for transparency and efficiency that Rotterdam aims to replicate. Upon completing this trial, Rotterdam plans to integrate eBDNs permanently within its systems and those of its suppliers, with the goal of creating a seamless digital workflow across all bunkering operations at the port.

Commenting on the trial, Saskia Mureau, Director Customer Digital of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, stated, “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, highlighted the importance of transparency and efficiency in bunkering to support shipping’s transition to cleaner energy sources. “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.”

Ian Butler, Head of Energy Transition – Shipping at Vitol, added that digitalization offers broad benefits for the bunkering industry. “Digitalisation has the potential to benefit the bunkering industry through increased efficiencies and greater operational transparency, benefiting our customers and the wider market.”

This trial could potentially set a new benchmark in digital bunkering, laying the groundwork for widespread adoption of eBDN in Europe and beyond.

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