Freight haulers avoid more costly Dutch fuel suppliers

RIJSWIJK – Truckers who rely on diesel fuel are finding it hard to accept the recent 3 cent a liter levy increase in the Netherlands. Dutch freight haulers, who play a major role in Europe, are switching their fuel supply contracts to Belgium where the government goes easy on the transportation sector. The beneficiary of this levy increase policy has been Esso Belgium, which has different owners than Esso Nederland. The switch saves truckers up to $6,500 per unit, depending on the type of vehicle they operate and the hauling they do. The Dutch government averted more trouble by offering a number of efficiency incentives to somewhat offset the higher fuel costs. The type of protests that took place in Brussels and in Spain did not materialize in the Netherlands.