- First steps in environmentally responsible degassing of ships.
- Ships not allowed to remove vapours from their holds while in transit.
- EUR 250,000 made available for trials with mobile degassing systems.
The Netherlands will no longer allow ships to remove vapours from their holds while in transit, says a press release published in the Port of Rotterdam website.
No more degassing
The Netherlands will no longer allow ships to remove vapours while in transit from their holds known as degassing.
Need for alternatives
This nation-wide ban means that the sector will need to have access to sufficient safe and environmentally responsible alternatives.
Mobile degassing systems
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has made EUR 250,000 available for trials with mobile degassing systems.
After unloading their liquid cargo, ships need to be able to remove the remaining vapours from their hold in an environmentally responsible manner.
What is degassing?
At present, ‘degassing’ is often done while the ship is still in transit. During degassing, the vapours that have remained in a tanker’s hold are removed, after which the vessel can take in new cargo.
Trial mobile degassing
Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen visited Rotterdam’s Seinehaven to attend a trial with a mobile degassing system.
“It is important to me that we quickly arrange good alternatives to releasing vapours while en route. The existing procedure creates health risks for crews and local residents and is hazardous to the environment. We need to quickly determine the best alternative to this practice, and these tests will help.”
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Source: Port of Rotterdam
