Een blogbericht

# Beyond the Pump: Navigating the Dutch Fuel Market’s High-Stakes Transition

The Dutch fuel market is no longer just about petrol and diesel. As of early 2026, the Netherlands has solidified its position as a critical laboratory for the global energy transition. While the market is mature and highly concentrated, a structural shift is underway, moving from fossil fuels toward low-carbon and bio-based alternatives. For foreign suppliers and investors, the real story isn't in the "classic" petrol retail—it’s in the high-growth niches of LNG, advanced biofuels, and the infrastructure of tomorrow.

## A Market of Giants and High Barriers

The Dutch motor fuel retail market remains a heavyweight sector, valued at approximately €14 billion in 2025. However, the landscape is dominated by a handful of multinationals, including BP, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil. With around 669 specialized fuel retail businesses, the market concentration and massive economies of scale create formidable barriers to entry for new traditional players.

| Market Metric | Value (Approx. 2025) |

| Market Size | €14 Billion |

| Number of Businesses | ~669 |

| Key Players | BP, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil |

| Gasoline Price | >$2.40 per litre |

Margins in traditional retail are under constant pressure due to fierce competition and the accelerating energy transition. Yet, this pressure is exactly what is driving the next wave of innovation.

## The Strategic Hub: Oil, Gas, and the U.S. Connection

The Netherlands continues to punch above its weight as a global refining and trading hub. In 2023, it ranked as a top-10 global importer of petroleum gas, bringing in roughly $17.5 billion, primarily from the United States, Belgium, and Qatar.

The dependency on U.S. imports is particularly striking. Crude oil imports from the U.S. alone reached €7.7 billion in 2023. Much of this volume is refined locally and re-exported, underlining the country’s role as the "gateway to Europe." For foreign suppliers, this established infrastructure provides a ready-made platform for introducing newer, greener fuel components into existing global value chains.

## The Regulatory Catalyst: RED III and "Green Growth"

What makes the Dutch market particularly impactful right now is the regulatory environment. The recent transposition of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) into Dutch law has sent a clear signal to the market.

> "The Netherlands has set a bold trajectory, mandating a phased increase in the share of renewable energy in transport fuels from 14.4% in 2026 to 27.1% by 2030."

This isn't just a target; it’s a mandate backed by the government’s "Green Growth" package unveiled in 2025. While reaching the 55% CO2 reduction goal by 2030 remains a challenge, the legislative pressure is creating an insatiable demand for:

* Advanced Biofuels: Expected to see a CAGR above 10% through 2030.

* Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): With targets to blend 14% SAF by 2030.

* Green Hydrogen: The Port of Rotterdam’s Hynetwork pipeline, becoming operational in 2026, is the backbone of a new hydrogen ecosystem.

## Where the Real Opportunities Lie

For foreign companies, the "classic" entry points are closed, but the "niche" segments are wide open and hungry for capital and technology.

### 1. Advanced Biofuels & Feedstock

The Netherlands is positioning itself as the European hub for advanced biofuels. There is a critical need for foreign partners who can provide:

* Second-generation feedstock (waste-based).

* Advanced processing technologies to scale production.

* Project finance for large-scale biorefineries.

### 2. Synthetic Fuels (e-SAF) and Hydrogen

As bio-based SAF reaches feedstock limits, the focus is shifting to e-SAF (synthetic aviation fuel). This requires green hydrogen and captured carbon—areas where foreign technology and engineering services are in high demand.

### 3. Infrastructure and Service Equipment

The transition requires a total overhaul of existing infrastructure. Opportunities abound for suppliers of:

* LNG and Bio-LNG bunkering equipment.

* Offshore technology and engineering services.

* Digital solutions for fuel management and carbon tracking.

## The Verdict: A Market in Profound Evolution

Despite high fuel prices (consistently above $2.40 per litre) and the rise of electric mobility, retail fuel revenues are not collapsing. Instead, they are evolving. The internal combustion engine will remain part of the fleet for years, but the molecules powering them are changing.

The Netherlands offers a unique "entry angle" for foreign firms: a mature market with the infrastructure of a global hub, combined with the aggressive regulatory mandates of a climate leader. For those providing the technology and feedstock for the next generation of fuels, the Dutch market isn't just a destination—it’s a springboard to the rest of Europe.

***

Sources:

* IBISWorld: Motor Vehicle Fuel Retailing in the Netherlands (2025)

* OEC: Petroleum Gas Trade Data (2023)

* CBS: Dutch-U.S. Trade Relations Report (2025)

* S&P Global: Netherlands Green Growth Package Analysis (2025)

* Port of Rotterdam: Hydrogen and Hynetwork Progress Updates (2026)