Dutch inland shipping fears another blow from Russian oil boycott. Skippers fear the high fuel price caused by the boycott will keep their vessels docked, trade association director Rob Leussink says Koninklijke Inlandvaart Nederland v BNR. The boycott goes into effect today for unprocessed oil from Russia and will also apply to processed petroleum products, such as diesel, from February.
Earlier this year, low water levels made navigation difficult. Domestic shipping has also been hit by a fuel shortage caused by consistently high prices and low inventories. Now inland shipping is at risk of being hit again by scarcity, says Leussink.
The oil boycott affects the entire Dutch transport sector. But according to Leussink, inland shipping will face an additional challenge. ‘Skippers have little insight into what exactly is in their cargo. If not all ships can sail due to shortages, it is difficult to determine which ship deserves priority. We therefore view this development with due concern,’ explains Leussink.
20 percent
Dutch inland navigation mainly uses processed petroleum products, such as diesel and gas oil. In the Netherlands, thirty percent came from Russia. Dutch companies have now managed to reduce it to twenty percent.
When imports from Russia are canceled due to the boycott, alternatives are available, but they don’t eliminate all of Leussink’s concerns. “For example, the Netherlands imports crude oil from Saudi Arabia to absorb losses. However, you can get less diesel out of that oil, so you’ll need more.’
Source: BNR
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