Netherlands gas stations face accelerated decline due to high fuel costs

The number of gas stations in the Netherlands is expected to decline more rapidly than previously anticipated due to rising fuel prices linked to the Iran-Iraq war and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Dirk Mulder, a sector banker at ING, warns that the total number of stations could drop from approximately 4,000 to 2,000 within the next five to ten years, with the decline potentially accelerating in the first five years.

Border stations, particularly those in provinces adjacent to Belgium and Germany that lack retail shops, are at the highest risk. These operators are facing reduced turnover and lower fuel volumes as consumers cross borders to take advantage of lower fuel prices in neighboring countries, driven largely by higher excise duties in the Netherlands.

Data from BOVAG indicates a slight decrease in the number of stations, with 4,084 recorded in June, sixteen fewer than the previous year. Martin van Eijk, chairman of the industry organization Drive, confirmed that several border stations have already closed due to this shift in consumer behavior.