The port of Rotterdam has 31 buoys and dolphins that are intensively used for transhipment, repair, bunkering and waiting. Shipping agents can book these berths 24/7 via the KING application, but demand currently exceeds supply. There is no space to expand the physical infrastructure, so smart solutions are being sought.

That is why the Port of Rotterdam Authority has launched a pilot with the KING application. This expansion of the existing system makes it possible to digitally book commercial berths, such as quays operated by market parties. ‘Transhipment companies often have capacity to accommodate additional vessels, but they do not have an application to offer these berths to the market,’ says Willem Schreij, Business Manager Shipping at the Port of Rotterdam Authority. ‘They asked us if we could facilitate this through KING.’

How it works
Commercial operators such as HBTM and ECT can make their berths available via the KING platform. They retain control over:
• Availability of their berths;
• Which vessels, activities, and duration of stay they wish to accommodate; and
• Commercial conditions, including applicable rates.
This approach delivers greater flexibility, optimises the use of existing infrastructure and a more transparent offer for shipping agents.

Why this is relevant for dry bulk
Dry bulk requires speed and flexibility. Vessels often arrive at short notice and need to be handled efficiently. With KING, agents can identify an available berth more quickly – even beyond the traditional buoys and dolphins. This results in shorter waiting times, reduced emissions, and more sustainable port operations. ‘As the Port of Rotterdam Authority, we also gain greater insight into the available berths, which allows us, for example, to have vessels wait inside the port rather than at the anchorage area,’ says Schreij. ‘That enhances both sustainability and efficiency.’

First results and vision for the future
The pilot began in October 2024 with two berths at HES Bulk Terminal Maasdelta (HBTM) and two berths on the DBF quay at ECT. Initial feedback from the market has been positive: users value the transparency and ease of use, while terminals benefit from improved quay occupancy and higher occupancy rates.

Following a successful pilot, three new parties are now being connected to KING. Several others are in line to join in subsequent phases. By the end of 2025, it is expected that around ten additional commercial berths will be bookable via KING. This will bring the total number of digital berths to more than forty, available for dry bulk, liquid bulk, and containers.
Source: Port of Rotterdam