ZeroNorth, Vitol, and the port of Rotterdam have launched a four-week trial of digital bunker delivery notifications, marking a significant step towards digitalisation in the shipping industry – according to the companies involved.
The trial involves the use of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (eBDN) solution, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and data quality.
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During the trial, Vitol will conduct a maximum of four bunker deliveries in the port of Rotterdam using the eBDN solution.
The objective is to demonstrate the advantages of digital over manual bunker delivery notes, focusing on time savings during bunkering and improved operational efficiency.
Vitol head of energy transition for shipping, Ian Butler, said: “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.”
This follows the example set by the Maritime and Port Authority in Singapore, which was the first to implement and mandate eBDN.
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By GlobalDataPort of Rotterdam authority director customer digital Saskia Mureau said: “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.”
Singapore and Rotterdam, two of the largest bunkering ports globally, are pivotal in driving global efforts to improve efficiency in international shipping. This initiative is part of the Singapore-Rotterdam Green and Digital Shipping Corridor.
ZeroNorth and Vitol have been instrumental in advancing this work in Singapore, the firms claimed. Vitol Bunkers, in collaboration with ZeroNorth, was among the first to adopt eBDN under the approval of the Maritime and Port Authority in Singapore.
ZeroNorth senior VP and global head of customer success Kenneth Juhls said: “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.”
Upon completion of the trial, the parties plan to fully integrate eBDN into the systems of the port of Rotterdam and its suppliers, paving the way for a fully digitalised workflow.
In June, RightShip signed an agreement with ZeroNorth to share emissions data across their platforms.
This partnership combines RightShip’s GHG 2.0 Rating and Safety Score with ZeroNorth’s CII Emissions Analytics solution, providing users with a comprehensive view of their environmental performance.
