The verdict in three sentences
For a ship chandler in Rotterdam, the website exists to capture requisitions from ship agents, masters and superintendents before the port call, at any hour, in English first and Dutch second. Your specification must therefore describe the order form per call and the IMPA coded catalogue in detail, far more than page design. A template with measurable requirements lets you compare agencies on the same basis and removes a large share of quote gaps caused by vague briefs.
The scope to price
| Element | 2026 market ballpark (Netherlands) |
|---|---|
| Build budget | 20,000 to 70,000 EUR |
| Pages | 12 to 25, English and Dutch |
| Catalogue | 1,000 to 5,000 items with IMPA codes |
| Product groups | Provisions, bonded stores, deck, engine, safety, cabin |
| Order form per call | Vessel, IMO, ETA, berth, agent, requisition upload |
| Delivery time | 10 to 14 weeks |
| Maintenance | 300 to 1,000 EUR a month |
The catalogue rarely needs public prices: quotations depend on the call, volumes and delivery point across the port. It must let an agent search by IMPA code, add quantities and send a structured requisition that your team prices.
The specification template
Copy this table into your document and fill in the right column. Every line should end in a value you can test at acceptance.
| Section | Requirement to fill in | Example measurable value |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Context | Services, terminals covered, calls per month | Maasvlakte and Europoort, 150 calls a month |
| 2. Goals | Online requisitions targeted | 60 a month after 6 months |
| 3. Audiences | Agents, masters, chief engineers, owners' purchasers | 4 profiles with journeys |
| 4. Languages | Languages and reviewer | English and Dutch, internal review within 48 h |
| 5. Catalogue | Items, groups, fields per item | 3,000 items, IMPA code, unit, image |
| 6. Call form | Mandatory fields, uploads, acknowledgement | 9 fields, Excel or PDF upload, acknowledgement under 1 minute |
| 7. Alerts | Team notification channels | Email and SMS to duty manager, 24/7 |
| 8. Performance | Mobile load time | Under 2.5 seconds on key pages |
| 9. Search | Target queries | ship chandler Rotterdam, ship supply Rotterdam |
| 10. Ownership | Domain, code, accounts | In the chandler's name |
| 11. Maintenance | Scope and response time | Blocking bug fixed within 24 h |
| 12. Acceptance | Scenarios tested | 15 scenarios, including a mobile order in English |
Requirements specific to ship supply
| Requirement | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| ETA field with time zone | Agents write from Singapore, Piraeus or Houston |
| Excel requisition import | Chief engineers send lists, not item by item clicks |
| Request status (received, quoted, confirmed) | Fewer chasing calls and emails |
| IMPA code search | Avoids wrong parts and returns |
| Customs and bonded stores page | Clarifies what can be delivered and how |
| Privacy notice under GDPR | Forms collect names and contact details of crew and agents |
As a nearshore benchmark, Kolonell's prices are 3,050 to 5,340 EUR (2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA) for a Premium site with catalogue or booking in 21 to 30 working days, plus 760 EUR (500,000 FCFA) for a 50 to 500 item catalogue and 230 EUR (150,000 FCFA) for a client area. A requisition tool with statuses is a simple custom application at 3,810 to 6,100 EUR. A catalogue above 500 items should be priced as a custom application.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Pieter, managing director of a ship chandler in Rotterdam, handles 150 calls a month and wins 35 orders. He targets 8 extra orders a month from night and weekend requisitions. At an average gross margin of 1,400 EUR per order, that is 11,200 EUR a month. A 45,000 EUR site plus 600 EUR a month in maintenance costs 52,200 EUR in year one. Five months of extra orders cover it.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
Should item prices be public?
Rarely. A requisition basket that your team prices within 2 hours works better than static prices across 3,000 items.
How long does catalogue data entry take?
With a spreadsheet import, about 1 minute per item, so 50 hours for 3,000 items. Without import, plan three to four times longer.
Do we need Dutch at all?
Yes for local owners, inland shipping and authorities. English carries most international agent traffic, so give both equal quality.
How do we handle requisitions at night?
Route alerts by email and SMS to a duty manager. An automatic acknowledgement in under 1 minute keeps the agent from shopping around.
What maintenance budget fits?
Around 300 to 1,000 EUR a month including catalogue updates and backups, with a 24 h fix for a blocked form.
Let's scope your project. Send us your template, even half filled, and we will return a priced scope with an indicative budget and 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.
