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Seagoing vessels carrying dangerous goods in waters and ports in the Netherlands

Seagoing vessels transporting dangerous goods must report before entering a port in the Netherlands. For explosive cargoes, an exemption may be required on waterways in the Netherlands. The port authority determines where seagoing vessels carrying dangerous goods may berth, load and unload.

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Dangerous cargoes: reporting requirement

The reporting requirement applies to seagoing vessels carrying dangerous goods:

  • In packaged form.
  • In solid form in bulk.
  • In liquid form in bulk.

These vessels must report to the port authority in the Netherlands at least 24 hours before arrival at the port. If the voyage from the previous port takes less than 24 hours, the report must be made before departure from that port.

Please note: seagoing vessels bound for Belgium, transiting the Western Scheldt to Antwerp without calling at a port in the Netherlands, must report to the competent Belgian maritime authorities.

Explosive cargoes: restrictions, exemptions and derogations

Seagoing vessels on waters in the Netherlands may carry only a limited net weight of packaged explosive cargo (in Dutch).

These restrictions do not apply to seagoing vessels in, or bound for or from:

  • The Eemshaven in Eemsmond.
  • The Amazonehaven, the Europahaven or the Yangtzehaven in Rotterdam Europoort.

Seagoing vessels carrying more explosive cargo than permitted, and unable to load or unload in 1 of these 4 ports, must apply for an exemption from the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) using the online form Application exemption transport of dangerous goods by sea (IMDG).

Berthing, loading and unloading locations

The port authority determines where seagoing vessels can berth, load and unload safely. This is based on:

For explosive substances, the port authority also considers the Vuurwerkbesluit (fireworks Decree, in Dutch). The port authority may deny vessels access to the port or extend the permitted net explosive weight limits.

Temporary storage in port

During temporary storage of dangerous goods awaiting onward transport, the Wet vervoer gevaarlijke stoffen (carriage of dangerous goods Act, in Dutch) continues to apply. For example, dangerous goods may not be repackaged during storage.

The onward transport determines which additional rules apply. The rules differ for inland navigation (in Dutch), road transport (in Dutch) and rail transport (in Dutch).

Role of the ILT in sea transport

The ILT oversees whether sea transport is carried out in accordance with national and international rules. Reporting of deficiencies, irregularities and incidents is mandatory. The ILT can be contacted: