In the port of Rotterdam (Netherlands), 4 500 containers for shipment to Russia are waiting in line to be checked, which need additional checks as a result of sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia, said the executive director of the port, Allard Kastein.

Blocked containers

This is reported by the railway magazine Railway Supply, citing the CFTS.

All containers destined for the aggressor country need to be scrutinized to make sure their movement does not violate sanctions, Kastein said. A separate zone may be created for them during the verification period.

Many agencies are also paying close attention to ships arriving from Russia, and a large number of container terminals and shipping companies have also indicated that they will no longer handle cargo bound for the country that was sanctioned after its invasion of Ukraine.

“This measure limits the value chain in terms of physical space, labor and time. Now there are 4.5 thousand containers in the port, which have been taken away for inspection, which is an emergency. We try to keep this number as low as possible, because the place in the port itself is limited,” Kastein said.

He noted that the port is ready to create a so-called “deposit zone” if the number of containers associated with Russia leads to a complete blockage of terminals.

“The Euromax terminal has the potential for expansion and we may eventually use that,” Kastein added.

Currently, about 30% of Russian crude oil, 25% of liquefied natural gas, 20% of oil products and coal are imported through Rotterdam, according to the port’s website.

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