Netherlands
General Information for Netherlands
Geo-political:
Capital City: Amsterdam; note - The Hague is the seat of government. 52° 21.00′ N, 004° 55.00′ E
Nationality: (noun) Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women), (adjective) Dutch.
Population: 17,280,397 (July 2020).
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 31.
Number of Internal Airports: 29 (2013).
Major Languages Spoken: Dutch (official).
Economy:
Currency: 1 Euro (EUR) of 100 Cents.
Exchange Rates:
(as of November 2020)
USD 1.00 = EUR 0.86
EUR 1.00 = USD 1.16
Exchange rates under licence from
XE.com
Main Industries: Agroindustries, metal, engineering products, electrical machinery, equipment, chemicals,
petroleum, construction, microelectronics and fishing.
Agricultural Products: Vegetables, ornamentals, dairy, poultry, livestock products and propagation materials.
Imports: Machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs and clothing.
Exports: Machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, mineral fuels, food, livestock and manufactured
goods.
Commodities: Crude: Production 18,000 bbl/d. Exports 7,984 bbl/d. Imports 1,094,000 bbl/d. Reserves 81,130,000 bbl.
Products: Production 1,282,000 bbl/d. Exports 2,406,000 bbl/d. Imports 2,148,000 bbl/d.
LNG: Production 45,330,000,000 cu.m.. Exports 51,250,000,000 cu.m.. Imports 51,000,000,000 cu.m..
Reserves 801,400,000,000 cu.m..
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Contiguous Zone: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m. Exclusive Fishing Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 451 km.
Climate: Temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters.
Natural Resources: Natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand, gravel and arable land.
Natural Hazards: Flooding and Mount Scenery (887 m), located on the island of Saba in the Caribbean,
last erupted in 1640;; Round Hill (601 m), a dormant volcano also known as The Quill,
is located on the island of St. Eustatius in the Caribbean;; these islands are at
the northern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends south
to Grenada.
Terrain: Mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast.
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5° C | -1° C |
| June | 20° C | 10° C |
| September | 20° C | 9° C |
OVERVIEW:
Netherlands Antilles/Caribbean Netherlands:
Unification:
In 1845, the Dutch Windward Islands united with Curacao, Bonaire and Aruba in a political
unit. Since 1954, the federation of the Netherlands Antilles (Curacao, Bonaire, Saba,
St Eustatius and Sint Maarten), which was a constituent part of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands, had been semi-autonomous in most internal affairs.
The Kingdom retained authority over foreign affairs, defence, final judicial review,
and Kingdom matters including human rights and good governance. Aruba was part of
this federation until 1 January 1986, when it gained a separate status within the
Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Dissolution:
In 2004, a commission of the governments of the Netherlands Antilles and the Netherlands
reported on the future status for the Netherlands Antilles. The commission advised
a revision of the statute of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in order to dissolve the
Netherlands Antilles. The dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles took place on 10 October
2010. The islands of Curacao and Sint Maarten became autonomous territories, while
Bonaire, Saba and St Eustatius became Dutch municipalities and known as the Caribbean
Netherlands. Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St Eustatius and Sint Maarten each have
their own entry in this Guide.
CHARTS:
The Hydrographic Service of the Royal Netherlands Navy compiles nautical charts and
publications and issues Notices to Mariners. english.defensie.nl/topics/hydrography/nautical-products
DEEP SEA PILOTAGE:
Vessels required to use the mandatory route for tankers from North Hinder to the German
Bight refer to the IMO Resolution A.486 (xii), adopted on the 19 November 1981, concerning
the recommendation on the use of adequately qualified Deep Sea Pilots in the North
Sea, English Channel and Skagerrak.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
ENIGMA+:
ENIGMA+ (Electronic Network for Information in the Ghent-Zeeland Maritime Area) is
the electronic network for information in the Ghent-Zeeland maritime areas. The ports
of North Sea Port (Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Ghent) and Rijkswaterstaat are responsible
for guiding shipping in the port docks, on the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal and on the Western
Scheldt. The ENIGMA+ port management system is used for this purpose.
All ships entering and leaving the port of North Sea Port and Rijkswaterstaat must
register and submit journey and cargo information electronically in ENIGMA+. ENIGMA+
is also an information and communication system between the various port users and
can be used to order pilots, boatmen, tugboats and other services.
Access for registered users is available at
www.enigmaplus.eu/Site/LoginMogelijkheden.aspx
Portbase PCS:
Portbase PCS (Port Community System) was founded in 2009 by the ports of Rotterdam
and Amsterdam. It is a single window that allows for exchange of compulsory vessel
notifications to Harbour Masters and Customs, dangerous goods notifications, ship’s
stores, crew and passenger lists, waste declarations and ISPS declarations. It also
allows for the exchange of information regarding import and export cargo, and hinterland
transport. Access to Portbase PCS is available for registered users at
www.portbase.com
The following notifications will be required via Portbase PCS:
| 1. | Notice of ETA: LNG carriers with LOA more than 180 m. and all vessels with a draft 17.4 m. or more must submit the following details 48 hours, or at the latest on departure of the previous port if the duration of the journey is less than 24 hours, and when ETA has changed more than 30 minutes. All other vessels more than 300 g.t. must submit the information 24 hours, or at the latest on departure of the previous port if the duration of the journey is less than 24 hours, and when ETA has changed more than 30 minutes: | ||
| a) | IMO number | ||
| b) | ship name | ||
| c) | port of destination | ||
| d) | ETA | ||
| e) | ETD | ||
| f) | total number of persons on board | ||
| g) | PEC particulars, if available | ||
| h) | particulars (defects, damage) | ||
| I) | draft | ||
| j) | name of pilot, tug and linesmen service | ||
| k) | number of tugs | ||
| l) | name of agency and contact person | ||
| m) | name and position of berth | ||
| n) | Whether vessel has been fumigated with gaseous fumigant. | ||
| 2. | Customs: All vessels over 300 g.t. must notify the following information at least 24 hours before ETA pilot boarding location: | ||
| a) | IMO number | ||
| b) | ship name | ||
| c) | port of destination | ||
| d) | ETA | ||
| e) | ETD | ||
| f) | total number of persons on board | ||
| 3. | Immigration: Required by all vessels more than 300 g.t. at least 24 hours before arrival at the pilot boarding location: | ||
| a) | IMO number | ||
| b) | ship name | ||
| c) | port of destination | ||
| d) | ETA | ||
| e) | ETD | ||
| 4. | Shifting: All ships more than 300 g.t. must report 6 hours before ETD, or 12 hours before ETD if ship uses pilots or tugs or draft is more than 17.40 m. or LNG carrier: | ||
| a) | call reference number | ||
| b) | ship name | ||
| c) | call sign | ||
| d) | IMO number | ||
| e) | Master’s name | ||
| f) | PEC particulars, if available | ||
| g) | particulars (defects, damage) | ||
| h) | total number of persons on board | ||
| I) | draft | ||
| j) | name of pilot, tug and linesmen service | ||
| k) | number of tugs | ||
| l) | name of agency and contact person | ||
| m) | ETD from present berth | ||
| n) | name and position of berth. | ||
| 5. | Departure: All ships more than 300 g.t. must report 6 hours before ETD, or 12 hours before ETD if ship uses pilots or tugs or draft is more than 17.40 m. or LNG carrier with LOA more than 180 m. Resubmission of the information should be sent when ETD has changed more than 30 minutes: | ||
| a) | call reference number | ||
| b) | ship name | ||
| c) | call sign | ||
| d) | IMO number | ||
| e) | Master’s name | ||
| f) | PEC particulars, if available | ||
| g) | particulars (defects, damage) | ||
| h) | total number of persons on board | ||
| I) | draft | ||
| j) | name of pilot, tug and linesmen service | ||
| k) | number of tugs | ||
| l) | name of agency and contact person | ||
| m) | name and position of berth | ||
| n) | ETD from berth. | ||
| a) | call reference number | ||
| b) | vessel’s identification information: | ||
| i. | name | ||
| ii. | call sign | ||
| iii. | IMO identification number/MMSI number | ||
| c) | point of exit (sea or hinterland) | ||
| d) | Master’s name | ||
| e) | PEC number (if applicable) | ||
| f) | any particulars relating to the vessel (defects, damage, limitations) | ||
| g) | number of people on board | ||
| h) | draft (m. in SW to 2 decimal places) | ||
| I) | pilot company name (if applicable) | ||
| j) | towage company name (if applicable) | ||
| k) | number of tugs (if applicable) | ||
| l) | boatman company name (if applicable) | ||
| m) | agent company name | ||
| n) | contact person at the agency | ||
| o) | ETD from berth | ||
| p) | berth details | ||
| q) | vessel’s mooring position on the berth | ||
| r) | for tankers with empty cargo tanks: | ||
| i. | correct technical name of last dangerous substance/pollutant | ||
| ii. | UN number(s) where they exist | ||
| iii. | IMO hazard classes in accordance with the IBC and IGC Codes where they exist. | ||
River Information System:
The EuRIS platform is the result of a cooperation between 13 European countries. The
system gathers national information and services in one user portal. Participating
countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany,
Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia.
EuRIS provides skippers, vessel owners or logistic operators with relevant information
for planning and undertaking voyages on main European waterways. Users can register
a vessel and follow its route, receive messages when vessel passes certain points
on the network and request information on vessels, voyages and cargo.
EuRIS presents all waterway and traffic related information on handy maps or in tables,
with:
- a real-time traffic image
- position information of authorized vessels
- Notices to Skippers
- actual water levels, discharges, bridge clearance, water depth
- information about the fairways, bridges, locks, berths, terminals
- the operating times of locks and bridges
- voyage planner
- travel duration and expected arrival times.
Access to EuRIS is available at
www.eurisportal.eu
Furthermore, details of national systems can also be found at the following websites:
| Country | Website |
|---|---|
| Austria | www.doris.bmk.gv.at |
| Belgium | www.visuris.be |
| voies-hydrauliques.wallonie.be | |
| www.vts-scheldt.net | |
| Bulgaria | www.bulris.bg |
| Croatia | vodniputovi.hr |
| Czech Republic | www.lavdis.cz |
| France | www.vnf.fr |
| Germany | www.elwis.de |
| Hungary | www.pannonris.hu |
| Netherlands | www.vaarweginformatie.nl |
| Poland | www.rzgw.szczecin.pl |
| Romania | www.roris.ro |
| Serbia | nts.risserbia.rs |
| Slovakia | nts.slovris.sk |
| Switzerland | www.port-of-switzerland.ch |
| www.elwis.de |
Reporting:
Electronic reporting enables electronic data interchange for reporting purposes between
vessels and competent authorities in inland navigation. The goal is to avoid multiple
reporting of skippers to competent authorities and to limit the provision of the same
data related to a voyage to different authorities and/or commercial parties, and thus
to reduce the administrative workload for skippers and inland waterway managers.
International standards and procedures for the interchange of electronic messages
are in force. Public authorities and other parties concerned (ship owners, skippers,
shippers, terminals, ports) shall exchange data in conformity with these standards
and rules.
Electronic reporting is supported in many countries, until recently mainly for supporting
traffic management. EuRIS now enables the orderly sharing of information with both
public and private parties (always with consent of the ship owner).
Various platforms are also available to waterway users to electronically fulfil reporting
requirements of the authorities:
- BICS: www.bics.nl Enables electronic reporting via the BICS application, widely applicable in the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany, on the Rhine and the Mosel.
- CEERIS: www.ceeris.eu Central & Eastern European Reporting Information System (CEERIS) covers most of the Danube and the Czech Elbe, enabling electronic reporting in the CEERIS partner countries Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia.
- eRIBa: eriba-platform.be Allows users to report digitally more easily on all waterways in Flanders and on the Western Scheldt (including the Dutch side of the North Sea Port).
- VELI: www.vnf.fr/veli/Login.html Allows for reporting before commencing any journey on all French waterways.
Note:
In order to use CEERIS for reporting, either a successfully claimed vessel (privacy
class 9 with valid ENI) or granted reporting rights for a vessel in EuRIS are required.
Inland ECDIS:
Making available reliable and up-to-date electronic charts which meet European standards.
ECDIS contributes to the safety and efficiency of inland navigation and therefore
the protection of the environment. Moreover, it reduces the workload of the skipper
compared to traditional navigation and information methods.
Notices to Skippers:
To enable an automatic translation of the most important contents of messages in all
languages of the participating countries, with a harmonised structure of data to enable
integration of messages in the voyage planning systems. Also a standard for height
of tide information will be made available. This information will be made available
to the inland barge community, among other things by use of web applications.
Also see
Duisburg-Ruhrort.
VTS/RADAR:
West European Tanker Reporting System (WETREP):
Western European PSSA Mandatory reporting for all tankers carrying heavy grade oils.
With effect from 1 July 2005, the West European Tanker Reporting System (WETREP) comes
into force in the Western European Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA).
Ships required to participate in the mandatory ship reporting system WETREP: Every
kind of oil tanker of more than 600 d.w. tonnes, carrying a cargo of:
- heavy crude oil, meaning crude oils with a density at 15°C of higher than 900 kg./cu.m.
- heavy fuel oils, meaning fuel oils with a density at 15°C of higher than 900 kg./cu.m., or a kinematic viscosity at 50°C of higher than 180 sq.mm./sec.
- bitumen and tar and their emulsions.
Pursuant to SOLAS, mandatory ship reporting system WETREP does not apply to any warship,
naval auxiliary or other vessel owned or operated by a contracting government and
used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service.
The geographical coverage of the system, the content of the report and the time at
which and place from where it should be sent are all detailed in
IMO Circular SN/Circ. 242.
VTS Scheldemond (VTS-SM):
Reporting compulsory for all commercial traffic when entering the VTS Scheldemond
Traffic Areas both inward/outwardbound. Use Dutch or English language only. Compulsory
for all vessels to maintain a continuous listening watch on the appropriate VHF channel
for the traffic area (including vessels at anchor).
Each Traffic Area provides traffic link-up, traffic information, traffic instructions,
pilotage advice and recommendations. Additional traffic information, radar information
and harbour information can be obtained on the specified VHF Channel.
POLLUTION:
Spill Notification Point is Netherlands Coast Guard (Kustwacht) (Oil & HNS). T: +31 (223) 542300. F: +31 (223) 658358.
[email protected]
MEDICAL:
RMS:
The Radio Medical Service (RMS) of the Netherlands Lifeboat service (KNRM) is for
the benefit of sick or wounded sailors of all nationalities. A physician can provide
medical advice 24 hours a day and can act as intermediary between ship and shore.
This service is available anywhere in the world, and Radio Medical Advice is free
of charge.
If a person's medical condition is too serious to be treated on board, the Netherlands
Coastguard will confer with the RMS doctor to arrange an evacuation. Within the Netherlands'
SAR area, evacuation will generally be carried out by means of KNRM lifeboat or naval
helicopter. Outside the Netherlands SAR area, help will be arranged, where possible,
from the nearest rescue and medical services.
The Netherlands Radio Medical Service can be contacted by a variety of means, depending
on the areas covered. Contact with the RMS doctor can be established by VHF or MF
radiotelephone, through Inmarsat by telephone or telex, or by email.
Sea Area Netherlands A1:
If vessel is within this area, medical assistance can be obtained using VHF or VHF
DSC. The Coastguard Control Center can connect vessel to a doctor. Vessel should clearly
state vessel's name, call sign, position, and ask for medical advice. The NLCG will
direct vessel to working VHF Channels 23 or 83, where the NLCG will put vessel through
to the RMS doctor on duty.
Sea Area Netherlands A1 and A2:
MF radio covers an area of up to 250 n.m. and will be used when vessel is out of VHF
range. Medical assistance can be obtained using MF or MF DSC.
Sea Area A3:
With Inmarsat B/M/Fleet 77, 55 and 33 Telephone, Radio Medical Advice is available
by simply dialling code 32 (medical advice) or 38 (medical evacuation), via Station
12 (Stratos). Stratos will automatically relay the call to the Netherlands Coastguard.
Contact can also be made using Inmarsat B/C Telex, via Station 12. Priority codes
are 32 (medical advice), 38 (medical evacuation) and 00 (non-urgent).
When using Inmarsat B Telex, vessel will be relayed to the RMS computer and will receive
the host MEDIC SERVICE NL. Send messages using normal format, ending with NNNN. Disconnect
but do not switch off the terminal. The RMS computer will send a reply.
When using Inmarsat C Telex, messages will be relayed to the Store and Forward system
of Stratos. Messages should end with NNNN. Vessel will receive a reply from the doctor.
Worldwide:
With email, it is possible to exchange information if a valid internet connection
is available.
[email protected] (urgent/MEDEVAC), [email protected] (regular/medical), [email protected] (non-urgent).
For more information contact KNRM – Radio Medical Service. PO Box 434, 1970 AK IJmuiden,
Netherlands.
[email protected]
EMERGENCY RESPONSE CENTRE:
NLCG:
The Netherlands Coastguard NLCG is an independent organisation that carries out 14 tasks
for seven government ministries. In addition to maritime assistance and Search & Rescue
(SAR), the Coastguard also deals with the aftermath of disasters and incidents, implementing
vessel traffic services, maintaining law and order and supporting services, monitoring
import, export and transit of goods, border control, and monitoring shipping, offshore,
fishery and environmental regulations.
The Netherlands Coastguard has a Coastguard Control Centre in Den Helder and is the
national Air and Sea Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Joint RCC). The Centre is staffed
24 hours a day, and one watch division includes a Duty Officer, three Watch Officers
and one Law Enforcement Officer. It is equipped with AIS (Automatic Identification
System), and is also linked with eight radar chains along the Dutch coast. By means
of AIS, shipping traffic can be monitored as well as ship movements closer to the
coast.
The Coastguard has four ships; two patrol vessels, one fishery inspection vessel and
one tug. These vessels are from the Governmental Shipping Company and are permanently
assigned to the Netherlands Coastguard. In addition, the Coastguard can call upon
buoy tenders, an oil-combatting vessel and patrol vessels from the Royal Police, National
Police Force and Border Police. Also available are two Dornier 228 aircraft.
The Coastguard operates in Dutch territorial waters and the adjacent Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ). For maritime assistance and SAR operations, the Coastguard is also responsible
for the Waddenzee, the Ijsselmeer and the Zeeland and Zuid Holland Estuaries. Port
areas and inland waters (rivers and lakes) do not fall within the scope of the Netherlands
Coastguard, except for Search & Rescue in the larger inland waters mentioned above.
The Air Search & Rescue operating area is the Amsterdam Flight Information Region
(FIR), Dutch territory included.
NLCG Coastguard Control Centre:
VHF Channel 16, VHF DSC Channel 70, MF 2182 kHz, MF DSC 2187.5 kHz. MMSI 002442000.
Tel: +31 223 542500.
REGULATIONS:
EU MRV:
The EU MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) regulation entered into force on
1 July 2015, and it requires ship owners and operators to annually monitor, report
and verify CO
2 emissions for vessels larger than 5,000 g.t. calling at any EU and EFTA (Norway and
Iceland) port. Data collection takes place on a per voyage basis and started 1 January
2018.
The reported CO
2 emissions, together with additional data, are to be verified by independent certified
bodies and sent to a central database managed by the European Maritime Safety Agency
(EMSA). The aggregated ship emission and efficiency data will be published by the
EC by 30 June 2019 and then every consecutive year.
Ship owners and operators shall monitor the CO
2 emissions of their vessels per voyage conducted into, between and out of EU (and
EFTA) ports. A voyage is defined as any movement of a ship that originates from, or
terminates in, a port of call (EU port) and that serves the purpose of transporting
passengers or cargo for commercial purposes.
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Year's Day); Good Friday; Easter Sunday; Easter Monday; 27 April (King's
birthday); 4 May (Remembrance of the Dead); 5 May (National Liberation Day); Ascension
Day; Whit Sunday; Whit Monday; 5 December (Saint Nicholas' Eve); 25 December (Christmas
Day); 26 December (Boxing Day).
