The verdict in three sentences
For a Rotterdam company selling yacht management, crew logistics and charter services to shipping firms, the right provider is the one that handles bilingual content, technical service pages and a structured B2B enquiry flow, not the one with the glossiest superyacht portfolio. The 2026 market ballpark runs from 10,000 to 50,000 EUR excluding VAT depending on the provider type, with lead times of 6 to 16 weeks. A B2B generalist agency used to industrial clients usually wins on three year cost, while a systems integrator only makes sense if the site must talk to your fleet or ERP software.
Agency types ranked for a Dutch and English maritime site
This ranking compares categories of providers, not named companies. Budgets are 2026 market ballparks for a 20 to 35 page site in Dutch and English, with service pages, port compliance content and an enquiry form for charter and service requests.
| Rank | Provider type | Build budget (2026 market ballpark) | Lead time | Reversibility | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B2B generalist agency with maritime or industrial clients | 14,000 to 28,000 EUR | 8 to 12 weeks | Good if code and accounts are handed over | Firms with 3 to 6 service lines and B2B buyers |
| 2 | Senior freelance studio (2 to 4 people) | 10,000 to 18,000 EUR | 6 to 10 weeks | Good, key person risk | Young firm that needs to launch before a trade fair |
| 3 | Luxury and yachting specialist agency | 28,000 to 50,000 EUR | 10 to 16 weeks | Medium, proprietary tools are common | Brands selling private charters to wealthy clients |
| 4 | Nearshore agency (for example Kolonell, Dakar) | Kolonell's prices: 3,050 to 5,340 EUR (Premium) plus 110 EUR per extra language | 21 to 30 working days | Good, code and access handed over | Tight budget, team comfortable working remotely |
| 5 | Systems integrator | 25,000 to 50,000 EUR | 12 to 16 weeks | Good but heavy documentation | Sites connected to fleet management, ERP or a customer portal |
The generalist B2B agency ranks first because a Rotterdam maritime buyer is usually a fleet manager or a procurement officer at a shipping line, and they want clear scope, certifications and response times rather than lifestyle imagery. The yachting specialist makes sense once private owners and charter guests become your main customers.
What drives the budget line by line
| Item | Typical volume | 2026 market ballpark | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dutch and English versions | 20 to 35 pages per language | +15 to 30 % of the build budget | Human translation of service terms and conditions |
| Port and compliance content | 3 to 6 pages | 1,500 to 4,000 EUR | Port of Rotterdam procedures, ISPS and safety certificates, written with your compliance officer |
| B2B enquiry form | 8 to 12 fields | 1,000 to 3,500 EUR | Vessel name, IMO number, port call dates, service needed, PO reference |
| Service and fleet pages | 6 to 20 pages | 2,000 to 7,000 EUR | Clear scope, coverage area, response time |
| Launch SEO | 2 languages | 1,500 to 4,500 EUR | hreflang tags and redirects from the old site |
| Maintenance | Yearly contract | 1,800 to 7,000 EUR per year | Backups, updates, written response time |
Compliance pages are a trust signal for shipping companies, but they must be written or validated by your own people: the agency structures the content, it should not interpret port regulations for you. Point visitors to the official Port of Rotterdam documentation rather than paraphrasing rules that change.
Three year total cost per provider type
| Provider type | Build (median assumption) | Maintenance over 3 years | 3 year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury and yachting specialist | 38,000 EUR | 15,000 EUR | 53,000 EUR |
| Systems integrator | 35,000 EUR | 21,000 EUR | 56,000 EUR |
| B2B generalist agency | 20,000 EUR | 10,500 EUR | 30,500 EUR |
| Senior freelance studio | 13,000 EUR | 6,000 EUR | 19,000 EUR |
| Kolonell (Kolonell's prices) | 3,050 to 5,340 EUR plus 110 EUR for one extra language | 4,104 EUR (Standard maintenance, 114 EUR per month) | About 7,300 to 9,600 EUR |
Median assumptions are estimates for comparison only. Ask each shortlisted provider to fill in this exact table, maintenance included.
Mini case study
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Illustrative example, fictional persona: Sanne is commercial director of a 25 person Rotterdam firm providing crew changes, yacht management and short term vessel charters. She picks a B2B generalist agency at 20,000 EUR plus 3,500 EUR yearly maintenance, 30,500 EUR over three years. The structured enquiry form brings 5 extra qualified requests per month from shipping companies, 60 per year. Converting 1 in 8 at an average gross margin of 3,500 EUR per contract yields roughly 26,000 EUR per year, so the site pays back in about 14 months.
FAQ
How much does a maritime services website cost in Rotterdam in 2026?
The 2026 market ballpark is 10,000 to 50,000 EUR excluding VAT, depending on the provider type. A bilingual 20 to 35 page site from a B2B agency usually lands between 14,000 and 28,000 EUR.
Do we need Dutch pages if our clients are international?
Yes, if you bid for work from Dutch port operators or public bodies. Plan for 15 to 30 % extra on the build budget for a properly translated second language.
Should the agency write our port compliance pages?
The agency should structure them, but your compliance officer must validate every claim. Budget 1,500 to 4,000 EUR for 3 to 6 pages and link to official port documentation.
What should the B2B enquiry form ask?
Between 8 and 12 fields: vessel name, IMO number, port call dates, service needed and a purchase order reference. Shipping firms expect to send a usable request without a phone call.
Can Kolonell build this remotely?
Yes. Kolonell's prices for a Premium site are 3,050 to 5,340 EUR (2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA), plus 110 EUR per extra language, delivered in 21 to 30 working days with code and access handed over.
Let's scope your project. Send us your service lines, languages and target launch date, and we will return a scope, an indicative budget and a timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
