Dutch state won't back pre-loading container weigh-in obligations
THE European Shippers' Council (ESC) has praised the Dutch government for abandoning its position on mandatory weighing of containers before loading on ships.
Dutch Infrastructure Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen, of the centre-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), which has plurality in parliament, said the government will not longer press for mandatory weighing to comply with strictures of the UN's International Maritime Organisation.
The ESC said it "welcomes the new Dutch approach and notes a major player, until recently in favour of the mandatory weighing of containers prior to loading, has taken a courageous and realistic decision and changed course on this issue".
The ESC explained that up until the announcement the Netherlands had been a leading supporter of the IMO's proposed container weighing scheme.
Dutch legislators found it difficult to understand how the IMO's proposals to introduce stricter weighing requirements would reduce the number of containers lost at sea. But it was clear that weigh-ins would increase transport costs.
The ESC called the Dutch government's change of mind "courageous" because the IMO's debate on container weights was partially initiated by the Netherlands.
The IMO's Sub-Committee DSC is set to decide on the matter of introducing the mandatory weighing of containers prior to loading this September.
THE European Shippers' Council (ESC) has praised the Dutch government for abandoning its position on mandatory weighing of containers before loading on ships.
Dutch Infrastructure Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen, of the centre-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), which has plurality in parliament, said the government will not longer press for mandatory weighing to comply with strictures of the UN's International Maritime Organisation.
The ESC said it "welcomes the new Dutch approach and notes a major player, until recently in favour of the mandatory weighing of containers prior to loading, has taken a courageous and realistic decision and changed course on this issue".
The ESC explained that up until the announcement the Netherlands had been a leading supporter of the IMO's proposed container weighing scheme.
Dutch legislators found it difficult to understand how the IMO's proposals to introduce stricter weighing requirements would reduce the number of containers lost at sea. But it was clear that weigh-ins would increase transport costs.
The ESC called the Dutch government's change of mind "courageous" because the IMO's debate on container weights was partially initiated by the Netherlands.
The IMO's Sub-Committee DSC is set to decide on the matter of introducing the mandatory weighing of containers prior to loading this September.