The other costs were as follows:

The costs of subcontracted work and other external costs increased due in part to more use of external personnel, mainly as a result of our intensified activities in the area of the energy transition.

The cost of network operations mainly comprises the procurement of nitrogen production capacity and electricity for the production of nitrogen and the cost of electricity and gas for gas transport and gas storage operations. The decrease in the costs of network operations in 2025 is mainly due to lower energy prices and lower energy usage.

Other operating expenses comprise mainly insurance costs, other material and personnel expenses, and non-recurring costs. An amount of € 57.6 million of the increase in other operating expenses can be attributed to the provision for abandonment costs, to which an amount of € 9.8 million was added in 2025, following a € 47.8 million release in 2024, as explained in note ‎22 ‘Other provisions’. In addition, an amount of € 6.8 million relates to contingent considerations yet to be settled in respect of the disposal of part of our shares in EemsEnergyTerminal in 2023 (see note 24 ‘Other non-current liabilities’).