The Netherlands is opposing German plans to levy a toll on shipping on the Rhine, Nis News reports.Germany wants to introduce the toll to cover the costs of management and maintenance of its rivers. The Charter of Mannheim, as it is known, will have to be amended to this end. This can only be done with the unanimous support of the five countries involved: The Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium and Switzerland. The parliaments of the five countries also have to give their approval.
Infrastructure Minister Melanie Schultz has told her German counterpart Peter Ramsauer that the Netherlands is against the principle of waterways pricing. She also fears the introduction of tolls on the Rhine could lead to more traffic by road, exacerbating congestion.
Additionally, the Netherlands does not want stricter requirements for carbon emissions by the shipping industry in Europe to apply solely in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Shipping in other European waters must participate when the rules come into effect in 2015, said Infrastructure and Environment State Secretary Joop Atsma yesterday at a meeting with his counterparts in Brussels.
Atsma also warned that the proposed sales ban on fuel with over 3.5 percent of sulphur would endanger the competitive position of Europe. Sales of this fuel are in fact still permitted in the rest of the world. "If we go along with this, it means tht ships will avoid the port of Rotterdam."
Infrastructure Minister Melanie Schultz has told her German counterpart Peter Ramsauer that the Netherlands is against the principle of waterways pricing. She also fears the introduction of tolls on the Rhine could lead to more traffic by road, exacerbating congestion.
Additionally, the Netherlands does not want stricter requirements for carbon emissions by the shipping industry in Europe to apply solely in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Shipping in other European waters must participate when the rules come into effect in 2015, said Infrastructure and Environment State Secretary Joop Atsma yesterday at a meeting with his counterparts in Brussels.
Atsma also warned that the proposed sales ban on fuel with over 3.5 percent of sulphur would endanger the competitive position of Europe. Sales of this fuel are in fact still permitted in the rest of the world. "If we go along with this, it means tht ships will avoid the port of Rotterdam."