Applications for permits and exemptions
For a number of activities in the port (of Rotterdam, Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Dordrecht, Papendrecht, or Zwijndrecht), it is necessary to apply for a permit or exemption or to submit a notification. The Harbour Master of Rotterdam handles these applications or notifications from companies, inland shipping skippers, or private individuals. Applications should preferably be submitted digitally. Below you will find various types of requests per category.
Using the port
General request for permission, exemption, waiver
Request for exemption for installing facilities or objects in, on, under or above water
Request for exemption to be located or berth in an area where this is not permitted with a certain category or vessel
Request for exemption to use propellers, bow thrusters or stern thrusters
Berths
Application for exemption from exceeding berth dimensions
Request for exemption for installing facilities or objects in, on, under or above water
Request for exemption to berth in contravention or traffic signs
Request for exemption to use propellers, bow thrusters or stern thrusters
Request for exemption to use anchors or spudcans
Request for designated berth for decontamination
Request for exemption to access a petroleum port
Request for exemption to permit open flame or sparking in a petroleum port
Application for exemption from berthing a tanker outside a petroleum port
Request to berth with a service or support vessel in Petroleumhaven
Request for exemption to moor alongside a vessel involved in gas transshipment
Application for exemption from exceeding berth dimensions Amazonehaven
Environment
Request for exemption to release substances from a vessel
Request for designated berth for cleaning or venting
Request for exemption to clean liquid from cargo or slop tanks
Request for exemption from use of a generator, main or auxiliary engine
Request for designated berth for decontamination
Request for license to receive waste from seagoing vessels
Request to not use vapour return line during transshipment between tankers
Petroleum port
Request for exemption to access a petroleum port
Request for exemption to permit open flame or sparking in a petroleum port
Application for exemption from berthing a tanker outside a petroleum port
Application for exemption from berthing a tanker outside a petroleum port
Request to berth with a service or support vessel in a petroleum port
Procedure
Once you have completed the form, click on submit. After that, it is necessary to verify the email address provided in the form. Check your mailbox or spam mailbox for this. After verification, you will receive a copy of the submitted application.
The Harbour Master will do everything possible to process your request as quickly as possible. As long as your application is still being processed, the activity you have applied for may not take place.
The statutory decision period for a standard application is 8 weeks. This period may be extended once by six weeks, resulting in a total period of 14 weeks. The decision period commences from the moment the application is received by the Harbour Master of Rotterdam.
Objection
Do you disagree with the Harbour Master’s decision? Then you may lodge an objection. This allows you to explain why you disagree with the decision. Objections must be lodged within six weeks.
Have you or has someone else objected to the Harbour Master’s decision? Then the Harbour Master will make a new decision. Do you disagree with that decision? Then you may ask the court whether the Harbour Master made the right decision. That is called ‘appealing’. Do that within 6 weeks. You may only appeal if you have previously lodged an objection. If, due to urgency, you cannot wait for the decision on the objection, you may apply to the court for a temporary provision.