Belgium – Drinking-water distribution – Raamovereenkomst voor de verdeling van drinkwater per waterboot aan de binnenvaart in de haven van Antwerpen

In 2023, approximately 34,150 m³ of water was delivered to 5,103 vessels. In 2024, approximately 35,325 m³ of water was delivered to 4,947 vessels. In 2025, approximately 37,200 m³ of water was delivered to 5,104 vessels. The contract involves the delivery of drinking water by water boats to inland vessels that pay inland navigation fees for their stay in the port area of Antwerp. The drinking water is supplied by Water-Link on behalf of POAB and made available to the contractor via high-flow drinking water taps on the Left Bank (k1622) and on the Right Bank (k401). The water is delivered exclusively as drinking water; it is not permitted to fill ballast tanks or to supply drinking water for other purposes. The contractor is responsible for receiving, processing, and scheduling requests for the delivery of drinking water. All deliveries are invoiced by POAB to the customer (owner or third-party payer). For each drinking water loading, delivery, and flushing, the contractor registers all data required by the online application “Port Dues Portal.” POAB makes this application available to the contractor. The drinking water flushings are invoiced by POAB at the price of the drinking water as published in the tariff regulation for inland navigation. Incomplete or incorrect registrations result in the recovery of the price of the delivered drinking water. This means that the difference between the amount of drinking water taken on by the water boats and the registered amounts is at the expense of the contractor. Simultaneously with the execution of this contract, POAB makes a permit system available so that bunker vessels or water boats can, as an additional service, supply drinking water to inland vessels. Within this permit system, the same quality requirements must be met as set out in this contract.