Mixed berthing
Inland vessels with and without hazardous cargo are allowed to mixed berthing at around 50 berths in the Rotterdam port area. These have been determined in consultation with the inland shipping industry and the Safety Region. The so-called 1-cone and 2-cone ships can then berth directly next to each other and next to ships without hazardous cargo.
This fits in with our policy of using the existing space in the port as efficiently as possible and creating more berths for inland shipping. Mixed berthing is only permitted at the berths designated with signs and provided that all conditions for mixed berthing are met (E7 (bollard) sign with lower sign "Gemengd afmeren" or E.5.2 sign with lower sign "Gemengd afmeren").
Frequently asked questions
What is hybrid berthing?
Hybrid berthing is the direct or indirect berthing of inland waterway Hybrid berthing is the direct or indirect berthing at berths or waiting areas or in locks by vessels that are exempt, based on this regulation, from the berthing distances referred to in articles 6.28(11) and 7.07(1), of the Inland Waterways Police Regulations (Art. 1 of the Hybrid Berthing Regulations).
Is hybrid berthing permitted for all vessels?
No, not all vessels are suitable for hybrid berthing. Whether a vessel is suitable for hybrid berthing depends on the type of vessel, the type of cargo or the type of activity that takes place on board the vessel.
This can be found in Art. 2 of the Hybrid Berthing Regulations (designation of ships and berths and waiting area for hybrid berthing) and in Art. 3 (prohibitions) of the Hybrid Berthing Regulations.
For the Rotterdam port area, this is specified in more detail for each berth in the 2025 Designation Decree for ‘hybrid berthing’ in Rotterdam.
At which berths is hybrid berthing allowed?
There are approximately 50 berths in the Rotterdam port area where hybrid berthing is permitted. These are listed in articles 1 and 2 of the 2025 Designation Decree for ‘hybrid berthing’ in Rotterdam.
Aanwijzingsbesluit ligplaatsen ‘gemengd afmeren’ Rotterdam 2025
In Dordrecht, there is one berth where hybrid berthing is permitted. This is stated in Art. 1 of the Designation Decree for ‘hybrid berthing’ in Dordrecht 2025.
Aanwijzingsbesluit ligplaatsen ‘gemengd afmeren’ Dordrecht 2025
What signs are used to designate a berth for hybrid berthing?
This is done with the use of two signs:
1. E.7 met een onderbord F.4 met daarop de tekst ‘gemengd afmeren'
2. E.5.2 met een onderbord F.4 met daarop de tekst ‘gemengd afmeren'.
Because hybrid berthing is not immediately clear for all shippers – such as foreign shippers – a reference to the Port Authority’s website: www.portofrotterdam.com/GM has also been included on the lower signs. That web page includes all the relevant information about hybrid berthing.
Why do I need to register my vessel with dangerous goods in IVS Next if I want to use a hybrid berth?
Inland waterway vessels that use hybrid berths and that transport dangerous goods are required at all times to know which dangerous goods they are transporting. It is important when incidents occur for emergency services to be informed immediately whether, and if so which, dangerous goods are on board. That is because, in hybrid berths, it cannot be said with certainty whether an incident involves dangerous goods. Via IVS Next, shippers always state which cargo is on board when they depart from Rotterdam or call at Rotterdam. However, this is not done for movements within the port of Rotterdam. This is undesirable in the case of hybrid berthing. That is why inland waterway vessels that use hybrid berths and carry dangerous cargo must also report their cargo in IVS Next for movements inside the port.
Does this rule apply to all dangerous goods?
No, this requirement does not apply to bunker vessels transporting cargo with a flash point of 55 degrees centigrade or higher.
Is board-to-board transshipment allowed in hybrid berths?
No, this is not permitted. This follows from Art. 3(g) of the Hybrid Berthing Regulations.
May I ventilate my vessel or take samples through an open or partially open sampling port?
No, in principle, vessel ventilation or sampling via an open or partially open sampling port is not permitted in the Rotterdam port area at hybrid berths. An exception to this prohibition applies if the Harbour Master of Rotterdam has designated a berth for this purpose. This is permitted at two hybrid berths: jetty 3 in the Geulhaven and at dolphins B1 and B2 in the Yangtzekanaal.
What is meant by ‘preferences’ in Article 4 of the Hybrid Berthing Decree?
Preferences are recommendations for the shipper designed to keep hybrid berthing smooth and trouble-free. These are recommendations that require shippers to assume their responsibilities. Some of the recommendations are not always feasible in practice. They are therefore not strict requirements/obligations for hybrid berthing.
What should I pay attention to in the case of hybrid berthing?
1. First of all, you must ensure that your vessel is suitable for hybrid berthing. So your vessel falls under the category of vessels as described in Art. 2 of the Hybrid Berthing Regulations.
2. Next, you need to check whether the hybrid berth is intended only for tankers, or for non-tankers, or for all vessels suitable for hybrid berthing. See the 2025 Designation Decree for ‘hybrid berthing’ in Rotterdam and the 2025 Designation Decree for ‘hybrid berthing’ in Dordrecht.
3. Furthermore, you must ensure that you make certain reports, refrain from certain activities, and/or take care of certain things. See Art. 3 of the Hybrid Berthing Regulations and, in the case of ventilation, Art. 3 of the 2025 Designation Decree for ‘hybrid berthing’ in Rotterdam.
4. Finally, you are asked to observe a number of recommendations. See Article 4 of the decree.
All points can also be read in the Decision Summary.
My question is not on the list. What should I do now?
If you have a question that is not listed here, email it to the Harbour Coordination Centre (HCC) or call the HCC on +31 (0)10-252 1000.
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