EU MARITIME POLICY - COUNTRY INFORMATION
THE NETHERLANDS
POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
responsible
lead ministry
member of high level
minister
contact group
Mr. Joop Atsma
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
Mr Kees Polderman
PO Box 20901
2500 EX Den Haag
State Secretary for
Assistant Director
Tel: + 31.70 351 61 71
Infrastructure and
International Maritime
http://english.verkeerenwaterstaat.nl/english/
the Environment
Affairs
Co-ordinating
Inter-ministerial Board for North Sea Affairs
minister for North
Ministry of Transport,
(IDON) http://www.noordzeeloket.nl
Sea Affairs
Public Works and Water
Management
IDON Members:
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, DG
P.O. Box 20904
Water (chair);
NL-2500 EX The Hague
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, DG
Netherlands
Civil Aviation and Maritime affairs;
Tel: +31 70 456 15 68
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, DG
kees.polderman@minvenw.nl
of Public Works and Water Management,
department North Sea;
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and
Innovation , DG Fisheries and Nature;
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and
Innovation , DG Energy;
Ministry of Defence;
Coastguard;
Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
IDON Secretary:
mr. Lodewijk Abspoel
DG Water
PO Box 20906
2500 EX Den Haag
Tel. +31.70 - 456 7115
lodewijk.abspoel @minvenw.nl
LINKS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT LEVELS
role of regions
regions involved in IMP
The Dutch coastal Provinces (from South to North:
Zeeland
http://www.zeeland.nl/
Zeeland, South Holland, North Holland, Friesland,
Groningen) have representation in Brussels. They
South Holland
responded separately (but collectively) to the Green Paper.
http://www.zuid-holland.nl/index
Contribution to EU Green Paper (Contribution nr 235)
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/contributions_post/235.html
North Holland
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EU MARITIME POLICY - COUNTRY INFORMATION
THE NETHERLANDS
Role of coastal Provinces:
The coastal Provinces are responsible for the regional
implementation of national policies on water management.
The Provinces have a role in flood protection and coastal
environment, but have only limited jurisdiction and
responsibilities for water management issues on the North
Sea.
http://www.noordholland.nl/thema/concern/english/index.asp
Friesland
http://www.friesland.nl/infotype/links/view.asp?objectI
D=125&t=2
Groningen
http://www.provinciegroningen.nl/
structured dialogue
STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE
communication tools
Consultative Body for Water
Management and North Sea Affairs
Portal website on North Sea
affairs
http://www.overlegvenw.nl/
http://www.noordzeeloket.nl/index.asp
National Seaport Board
Periodical Newsletter on
North Sea affairs
www.havenraad.nl
Wadden Sea Council
http://www.raadvoordewadden.nl/index.php?id=
1&L=1
Council for Environment and
Infrastructure
The Ministry keeps a list of
organizations involved in
maritime issues.
regular events
Bi- annual IDON
Stakeholders
Conference
Annual meeting of
policy stakeholders and
marine science
representatives
http://www.noordzeedagen.nl
http://www.rli.nl/
VISION
vision documents
Overview of policy documents
http://www.noordzeeloket.nl/overig/bibliotheek.asp
Future strategic vision: Policy Note on the North Sea
http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/publicaties-pb51/beleidsnota-noordzee-2009-2015-engels.html
National Waterplan
http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/water-en-veiligheid/documenten-en-publicaties/rapporten/2009/12/01/nationaalwaterplan-2009-2015[2].html
Integrated Management Plan for the North Sea 2015
http://www.noordzeeloket.nl/Images/IBN2015%20managementsamenvatting%20(engels)_tcm14-2236.pdf
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NEW
EU MARITIME POLICY - COUNTRY INFORMATION
THE NETHERLANDS
Response to EU Green paper; contribution nr 263
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/contributions_post/263.html
Maritime Policy High Level Focal Points meeting: see presentation on North Sea Policy and
Management
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/focal-points-meeting_en.html)
OSPAR: The work under the OSPAR Convention is guided by the Ministerial Declarations and
Statements made at the adoption of the Convention and at the Ministerial Meetings of the OSPAR
Commission. The work under OSPAR applies the ecosystem approach to the management of human
activities.
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EU MARITIME POLICY - COUNTRY INFORMATION
THE NETHERLANDS
KNOWLEDGE AND SCIENTIFIC ADVICE
advisory committees
science networks
National Oceanographic Data Committee
List of Dutch knowledge institutes
http://www.noordzeeloket.nl/overzicht/beheer_organisatie
(NODC) http://www.nodc.nl/
s/Onderzoek/
Programme Board National programme sea
and coastal research
Netherlands Centre for Coastal Research
http://nck-web.org
http://www.nwo.nl/zeeonderzoek
North Sea Atlas
http://www.noordzeeatlas.nl/nl/index.html
MARITIME CLUSTERS
cluster organisation
participants/associates
Shipping (maritime, inland, naval, recreational)
Dutch Maritime Network
P.O. box 30145, 3001 DC Rotterdam
Shipbuilding
Phone: +31.10 205 2720
Maritime suppliers
Email: info@dutch-maritime-network.nl
Dredging, engineering
http://www.dutch-maritime-network.nl/english
Offshore exploration/production
Seaports
Fisheries
Maritime services
responsible ministry
Ministry of Infrastructure and
the Environment(in
cooperation with other
involved ministries)
MARITIME SPATIAL PLANNING
summary of system for planning
Planning 2015
http://www.noordzeeloket.nl/Images/IBN2
015%20managementsamenvatting%20(eng
els)_tcm14-2236.pdf
Presentation of planning system
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/focalpoints-meeting_en.html
A new -more detailed- spatial
planning vision has been developed
as part of the National Waterplan.
This Policy Note on the North
Sea came into effect in January
2011
http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documentenen-publicaties/publicatiespb51/beleidsnota-noordzee-2009-2015engels.html
NEW
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licenses
The Ministry of
Infrastructure and the
Environment provides
most permits.
Other ministries may
provide specific licenses,
e.g. the Ministry of
Economic Affairs,
Agriculture and Innovation
for offshore exploration
and exploitation of oil and
gas.
EU MARITIME POLICY - COUNTRY INFORMATION
THE NETHERLANDS
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EU MARITIME POLICY - COUNTRY INFORMATION
THE NETHERLANDS
OFFSHORE GOVERNANCE
policy ministry
management
operations
Finance
Customs Administration
Coastguard
http://www.minfin.nl/english
http://www.douane.nl/english/
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/
general.html
Border
control
Justice
Public Prosecutor +
Royal Military
Constabulary
Coastguard
Pollution
response
Infrastructure and the
Environment
Customs
http://english.justitie.nl/
surveillance
systems
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/
general.html
http://www.marechaussee.nl/
North Sea department
Coastguard
http://www.noordzeeloket.nl/
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/
general.html
Agriculture, Nature and
Food Quality
Fisheries Directorate +
Fisheries Inspectorate
Coastguard
http://www.minlnv.nl/portal/pa
ge?_pageid=116,1640354&_d
ad=portal&_schema=PORTA
L
http://www.aid.nl/
Infrastructure and the
Environment
North Sea department +
Regional Authorities +
Shipping Inspectorate
http://english.verkeerenwaterst
aat.nl/english/
Fisheries
control
Maritime
safety
http://english.verkeerenwaterst
aat.nl/english/
http://www.noordzeeloket.nl/
VMS
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/
general.html
Coastguard +
Regional Authorities
+ Shipping
Inspectorate
AIS network
SafeSeaNet
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/
general.html
http://www.ivw.nl/english/t
opics/
Maritime
security
Infrastructure and the
Environment
Shipping Inspectorate +
Port Authorities
http://english.verkeerenwaterst
aat.nl/english/
http://www.ivw.nl/
Coastguard +
Regional Authorities
+ Shipping
Inspectorate
AIS network
SafeSeaNet
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/
general.html
http://www.ivw.nl/english/t
opics/
Vessel
traffic
management
Accident
and
disaster
response
Search
and rescue
Infrastructure and the
Environment
North Sea department +
Regional Authorities
Coastguard +
Regional Authorities
http://english.verkeerenwaterst
aat.nl/english/
http://www.noordzeeloket.nl/
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/
general.html
Infrastructure and the
Environment
North Sea department
Coastguard
http://www.noordzeeloket.nl/
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/
general.html
North Sea department
Coastguard + Royal
Netherlands Lifeboat
Institution
http://english.verkeerenwaterst
aat.nl/english/
Infrastructure and the
Environment
http://www.noordzeeloket.nl/
http://english.verkeerenwaterst
aat.nl/english/
Law
enforcement
Justice
http://english.justitie.nl/
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/
general.html
http://www.knrm.nl
Public Prosecutor +
enforcement services +
National Police Service
Agency
http://www.om.nl/vast_menu_
blok/english/
http://www.politie.nl/KLPD/
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Coastguard + National
Police Service Agency
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/
general.html
http://www.politie.nl/KL
PD/
AIS network
SafeSeaNet
AIS network
GMDSS
infrastructure
EU MARITIME POLICY - COUNTRY INFORMATION
THE NETHERLANDS
ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS
MANAGEMENT
POLCY
Policy cooperation and integration through the Coordinating Minister for North Sea Affairs (=
Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment) and the Inter-ministerial Board for North Sea
affairs.
Integrated North Sea policy has been established in the National Water Plan 2015 and underlying
policy papers.
A number of Ministries is directly or indirectly involved in policy with regard to government functions
and responsibilities to the oceans and/or seas. In particular:
 Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment: Water quality, coastal protection and dike
reinforcement, shipping traffic and transport, spatial planning, permitting and licensing,
monitoringgeneral policies on environment;
 Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation: Exploitation of oil and gas, windfarming, general policies or industrial activities and tourism, fisheries, development of nature
and landscape, recreation;
 Ministry of Security and Justice: General policies on enforcement, immigration and border
control;
 Ministry of Defence: Military uses and exercises;
 Ministry of Home Affairs: General policies on governmental administration and management;
 Ministry of Foreign Affairs: General foreign affairs policies, international law of the sea issues;
 Ministry of Education, Culture and Science: General policies on science, scientific research and
cultural heritage;
 Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment: General policies on social welfare and employment,
occupational safety and occupational health;
 Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport: General policies on public health.
Management cooperation and integration through the North Sea Management Network coordinated
by the North Sea department of the ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management.
Integrated management framework established in the Integrated North Sea Management Plan (2015)
and underlying operational programmes. A revised management plan will be published end 2011.
OPERATIONAL
Operational cooperation and integration through the Netherlands Coastguard, under the operational
coordination and command of the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Integrated operational framework established in annual Coastguard plans and programmes.
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/pdf/maritime_policy_action/offshore-activities-cross-bordercooperation_en.pdf
The Netherlands’ Coastguard is an independent organisation with own tasks, responsibilities and
competences. It carries out 14 different operational North Sea tasks for 7 ministries.
http://www.kustwacht.nl/en/general.html
CROSS-BORDER
The NL Coastguard Centre acts as JRCC, MAS and North Sea Coordination
and Information Centre.
Cross-border cooperation is focused on emergency towing (agreement with Germany), pollution response
(under the Bonn Agreement), shipping inspection/PSC (Paris MOU), vessel traffic management
(agreements with Belgium and Germany), immigration/police activities (Schengen Agreement, Benelux
Treaty, Treaty with Belgium, ministerial agreement with Germany, participation in the European Police
Chiefs Task Force), fisheries control and management (North Sea Regional Advisory, operation ‘Shark’
with UK, etc.).
Cross-border cooperation on North Sea policy, management and implementation will be further developed
and enhanced in a wide range of activities, with a primary focus on the southern part of the North Sea.
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EU MARITIME POLICY - COUNTRY INFORMATION
THE NETHERLANDS
Disclaimer: This fact sheet was provided by (country) for information purposes. The Commission does
not take responsibility for the content.
Latest update: 07.06.2011
For more information on the EU Integrated Maritime Policy, see www.ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs
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