• Regarding volume, after Russia the United Kingdom is the second country of origin for freight transported via sea to and from Rotterdam. After Germany, Belgium and Russia, the UK is the fourth country regarding total throughput, at some 40 million tonnes (8.5% of the Rotterdam total).

• British imports are mostly comprised of short sea: Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargo, containers and liquid bulk. British exports to the Netherlands comprise mainly liquid bulk (particularly North Sea oil) and shortsea and RoRo cargo.

• CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) calculated in 2016 that Brexit could have a significant negative effect on the Dutch economy. This is because the Dutch economy, compared with the EU, is more interwoven via trade with the UK economy. According to the CPB, the costs for the Netherlands could amount to 1.2% of GDP by 2030, which amounts to some € 10 million or € 575 per resident. CPB thinks that the impact will be greatest on production in the food processing industry, chemical industry, plastic and rubber industry, electronic appliance industry, means of transport industry, and metals and minerals industry.

• The trade effect of Brexit on maritime transport from and to the Dutch sea ports may be considerable, as is shown in a report, ‘Stormy seas ahead?’, from the KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis (8 February 2018). The CPB’s Brexit trade scenarios were used as starting point for estimating this effect. Regarding the outgoing transport, the effect of Brexit has been jointly estimated for all Dutch ports as being -4.4% in the unfavourable scenario and -2.6% in the favourable scenario.

• If the UK leaves the internal market, customs formalities will need to take place. The Netherlands will need to establish customs facilities for this, also in the Port of Rotterdam. The Customs Administration of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) are recruiting additional personnel for this (750-930 for Customs and up to 143 for NVWA).

• An important consequence of Brexit is that it will not only affect terminals and shipping companies; its effects will continue throughout the entire hinterland logistics chain. This means that, if a German shipper does not have a customs number or its VAT declaration is incorrect, it will not be granted access to the Rotterdam terminal. It is therefore essential that all parties in the logistics chain adjust to the fact that the UK will become a third country. In September 2018, only 18% of Dutch businesses trading with the UK was actively preparing for Brexit. That is why the Port Authority is continuously stressing that all links in the logistics chain, from terminal operators to shippers, need to make preparations. Companies that wish to apply for a customs number should do so via this link.
• Brexit may result in congestion around the terminals in the port, as additional formalities could lead to delays, for instance if transporters do not have the correct freight documentation. To reduce this risk as far as possible, the Port Authority has consulted with terminal operators and surrounding municipalities to create additional parking areas for freight transport at or around the terminals.
• The Port of Rotterdam Authority and the terminals have conducted a simulation study into the possible impact of Brexit on the infrastructure in and around the terminals. The government and road authority can use the outcomes of this simulation to remove the most significant bottlenecks.
• As RoRo and short sea terminals do not yet have the necessary IT infrastructure for trade with third-country traffic, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is helping, via daughter company PortBase, to make IT system connections that fully automate the formalities, as is the case for container terminals. This will ensure the fewest possible delays in trading with the UK.

• In the short term, the possible delays at RoRo and short sea terminals are the most acute threat to smooth trade with the UK. In the medium and long term, the reintroduction of trade tariffs could result in changes in production processes and distribution systems, which could lead to smaller trade flows. For Rotterdam, this also offers opportunities, for example if companies move their activities from the UK to Rotterdam. The Port Authority and the city of Rotterdam are cooperating closely on this.

• The Port of Rotterdam Authority has been actively informing the business sector regarding the possible consequences of Brexit for over a year now, and that preparations need to take place in time. The Port Authority has also held many consultations with the government, municipalities and inspection agencies on behalf of Rotterdam’s business sector to ensure that all government efforts connect well with the needs of the business sector. This concerns issues including sufficient customs capacity and sufficient opportunities for veterinary and phytosanitary inspections so that these can take place in the port area.
• The Port of Rotterdam Authority and the terminals have conducted a simulation study into the possible impact of Brexit on the infrastructure in and around the terminals. The government and road authority can use the outcomes of this simulation to remove the most significant bottlenecks.
• As RoRo and short sea terminals do not yet have the necessary IT infrastructure for trade with third-country traffic, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is helping, via daughter company PortBase, to make IT system connections that fully automate the formalities, as is the case for container terminals. This will ensure the fewest possible delays in trading with the UK.

View an overview of the designated inspection centres and control points for the import of food and consumer products in the Netherlands.

In an effort to make the shipment of freight from Rotterdam to British ports run as smoothly as possible while minimising the risk of traffic disruption due to congestion, local governments, authorities, maritime and other transport terminals have made appropriate preparations for the new situation. New customs formalities could result in there being delays at the ferry terminal gates.

Minimising the risk of disruption
In order to prevent congestion, temporary parking areas for trucks have been created at or in the vicinity of the ferry terminals at Hoek van Holland, Vlaardingen, and in the port area of Europoort. To manage the flow of traffic in the area, signs are being erected and traffic marshals will be operating. We anticipate that these measures will be needed for no longer than six to eight weeks.

Read the traffic measures that are being introduced near the ferry terminals. These measures are based on a range of traffic simulations.

23/12/2020
Yes, passenger ferries have access. Passengers have access, provided they can submit a negative PCR test statement upon arrival in the Netherlands. This goes into effect from 23 December 2020, 00.00 hours (NL time).

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Yes, they do. The ferries with trucks and drivers can enter the port area of Rotterdam.
For the drivers, a negative rapid antigen test result is required. This requirement took effect on 19 January 2021, at 00:01 a.m. (time of departure from UK port).

• As from 19 January 2021, everybody who comes on board must be able to show a negative PCR test result (not older than 72 hours). Additionally, they need to have a negative rapid antigen test result (not older than four hours).
• Truck drivers must be able to show a negative antigen rapid test result (not older than 24 hours). They do not require a negative PCR test result.

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21/12/2020
Yes. Ferries with trucks and drivers can access the ports of Rotterdam and IJmuiden. The cabinet wants to keep the transport of essential goods going. The ferries will continue to sail for trucks with goods. This is in line with the approach for aviation, where cargo flights from the United Kingdom to the Netherlands remain possible. The new move by the government follows the imposition of the no-fly zone which came into force this morning.

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Livestock inspection point
Since 8 January 2021, a so-called livestock inspection point has been operational in the port of Rotterdam. The Animal Centre Hoek van Holland (ACH) is located at the terminal of ferry operator Stena Line and is a cooperation between ECS Livestock and Stena Line. The inspection point in Hoek van Holland is the only inspection point in the Dutch ports where live animals can undergo veterinary inspections. Since 1 January, inspections are mandatory for animals coming from the United Kingdom.

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Every transport to and from the United Kingdom begins with customs formalities. Only cargo that has been pre-announced digitally is allowed to enter or leave the ferry or shortsea terminal. Only pre-announced import or export cargo is allowed to enter or leave the terminals in the Dutch ports. If you do not pre-announce the documents correctly or not at all, your cargo will certainly not be going anywhere. Are you certain that the pre-announcement procedure of your customs documents is running smoothly? Some practical tips about the services are provided in four brief Portbase videos. In these 5-minute videos, you are guided along the major steps for correct document pre-announcement and for checking the shipment status at the terminal.

Quick guide to the Brexit services of Portbase

• The summary video: Masterclass pre-notification import and export documentation
• Part 1 Notification Export Documentation - Pre-notification of export documentation
• Part 2 Track & Trace Export – Tracking of export shipments
• Part 3 Notification Export Documentation - Pre-notification of import documentation
• Part 4 Import Status – Tracking of import shipments