rssAug 31, 2026, 18:35

Rijkswaterstaat stands firm: nighttime shipping restrictions on Amsterdam-Rhine Canal will proceed

Rijkswaterstaat will implement nighttime shipping restrictions on the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal starting tomorrow due to critical staff shortages. The measure bans large vessels and those carrying hazardous materials from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, a decision that has sparked significant opposition and threats of legal action from the shipping industry.

Rijkswaterstaat has announced that nighttime access restrictions on the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal will proceed as planned due to ongoing personnel shortages. Starting tomorrow, the canal will be closed daily between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM for ships exceeding 135 meters in length, 11.5 meters in width, or those transporting hazardous materials. This decision will affect dozens of vessels each night out of the estimated 100,000 ships that navigate the waterway annually.

The industry organization Koninklijke Binnenvaart Nederland (KBN) has strongly opposed the move, labeling it disproportionate and poorly justified. While emergency discussions were held to explore alternatives such as speed adjustments or additional patrol vessels, Rijkswaterstaat stated that these options require further investigation before they can be implemented. KBN argues that imposing the most severe restrictions before finalizing alternatives is unacceptable and has indicated plans to pursue legal action. Rijkswaterstaat acknowledges the significant impact on the logistics chain and maintains it is actively searching for ways to lift the restrictions as staffing levels permit.

Economy Business Amsterdam Netherlands

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Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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