In the port of Rotterdam, special rules, the Port Rules on Dangerous Goods, apply for operations involving noxious and/or dangerous goods and to the berthing of ships carrying such cargo.

Use of the petroleum ports
Loading, unloading or taking bunkers in a petroleum port is only allowed under certain conditions. Based on the Port Rules on Dangerous Goods, rules have been drawn up regarding open fire, sparks and such.

For more information about the requirements a ship needs to meet, you can contact the Harbour Master's Reporting Center by VHF 14 or telephone +31 (0)10 252 10 00, 24 hours a day.

Berthing
A tanker loaded with a dangerous substance is not allowed to berth outside a petroleum port. This also applies to loaded tankers that have not yet been cleaned. Only the Harbor Master can give permission to deviate from this rule.

A tanker does not need permission if:
- there is a cleaning certificate issued by a gas chemist;
- the tanker is solely loaded with a flammable hazardous liquid that has a flashpoint of 61°C or higher or was loaded with such a liquid during its last trip.

Container vessels and general cargo ships carrying certain amounts of dangerous and/or noxious goods are not allowed to berth near residential areas. Minimum distances have been established in the Port Rules on Dangerous Goods.

For permission, you need to contact the Harbour Master's Reporting Center by VHF 14 or telephone +31 (0)10 252 10 00.

Cleaning of cargo tanks
For cleaning activities such as washing and/or ventilating of cargo tanks, special berths and buoys have been assigned. Cleaning activities in the petroleum ports along terminals are only allowed with the permission of the company.
You need to report cleaning activities beforehand to the Harbour Master's Reporting Center.

For more information about legislation relating to cleaning activities, you can contact the Harbour Master's Reporting Center by VHF 14 or telephone +31 (0)10 252 10 00.

Repairs
In general, it is not permitted to carry out major repairs to your ship in the port of Rotterdam without prior permission from the Harbor Master. This of course does not apply to repairs being carried out at a shipyard.
You can address your requests for exemption in writing to the Harbor Coordination Center.

For more information, please contact the Harbour Master's Reporting Center by VHF 14, telephone +31 (0)10 252 10 00.

Decontamination of cargo and degassing of spaces
Under certain circumstances, the Harbor Master will grant permission for the decontamination of cargo by means of fumigation or the degassing of spaces.

For more information, you can contact the Harbour Master's Reporting Center by VHF 14, telephone +31 (0)10 252 10 00.