Boosting the digitalisation of bunkering in the Port of Rotterdam

Project manager

The Port of Rotterdam, ZeroNorth and Vitol are responsible for the project.

Project description

The Port of Rotterdam, in collaboration with ZeroNorth and Vitol, has completed the first test of its Electronic Bunker Delivery Note (eBDN), a project that replaces manual delivery notes with a digital solution. This technology has been implemented in a four-week trial that includes several bunkering operations carried out by Vitol.

The innovative element of the project lies in the fact that the eBDN can significantly improve operational efficiency, reduce administrative time and ensure superior data quality through a fully automated workflow, providing great improvements in the fuel supply process.

The trial that has been carried out aims to demonstrate that the solution is viable for port operations, positioning the Port of Rotterdam as the first in Europe to move towards the digitalisation of fuel supply. With this initiative, Rotterdam follows in the footsteps of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), which became the first port in the world to implement and make mandatory the use of eBDN.

Once this trial stage is completed, the eBDN will be fully integrated into the systems of the Port of Rotterdam and its suppliers, setting a precedent for fully digitized workflows.

Project objectives

The main objective of this project is to demonstrate how the digitalization of the fuel delivery process can transform port operations. Instead of using traditional manual systems, this approach seeks to streamline bunkering management, improving its accuracy and reducing operating costs.

In addition, the initiative aims to position Rotterdam as a pioneering port in Europe, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in innovation and technological sustainability.