The Dutch Cabinet has approved a policy letter filed by state secretary Tineke Huizingas to strenghten the country’s maritime sector. The letter includes some 50 concrete plans aimed at reducing environmental impact from shipping, improve maritime safety, increase the competitiveness of the national shipping industry and to promote carreers in shipping. Among the proposals are environmentally differentiated port dues, funding for environmental education in maritime courses and measures to increase safety at sea where the target bar is lowered from 25 accidents per year to 20. To lower the administrative burden for companies, inspection authorities shall increase co-operation. Inspections shall be risk-based and shipowners that fullfil their obligations will be less inconvenienced by inspections. Some inspection tasks will be transferred to the market.
The Dutch maritime sector employs 27,000 people and has a direct value added of about EUR 1.6 billion per year. To improve this, the tonnage tax and rates for ship management will be lowered.
The Dutch maritime sector suffers from recruitment problems. Huizingas wants to see improved collaboration in nautical education and is prepared to offer subsidies for introductory work placements.
The Dutch maritime sector employs 27,000 people and has a direct value added of about EUR 1.6 billion per year. To improve this, the tonnage tax and rates for ship management will be lowered.
The Dutch maritime sector suffers from recruitment problems. Huizingas wants to see improved collaboration in nautical education and is prepared to offer subsidies for introductory work placements.