Insights into the maritime industry

For some time now, potential port fees from America have grabbed the attention of maritime shipping. On February 27, the first proposal for these port fees was published. According to this proposal, the port fees would apply to ships built in China, ships with Chinese interests, and ships flying the Chinese flag. This proposal is part of a broader package, called “Make Shipbuilding Great Again”.

From April 7 to 11, 2025, the fifth meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee (STC) under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) was held in Geneva. This meeting, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), brought together representatives from governments, shipowners, and seafarers.

Today, the member states in the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have reached a principle agreement on a couple of measures that will come into effect on January 1, 2028, to phase out greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping by 2050. The KVNR is pleased with the result, despite much work still to be done before 2028.

Globally, the stock markets and politics are in the grip of a trade war sparked by the United States. President Trump regularly stated during his campaign that he views the introduction of import tariffs as the means to boost the American economy.

I'm not calling for all ships to get an A label, but the formula behind the CII needs to be revised to give a more realistic picture of reality. Short-sea shipping cannot be disadvantaged compared to inefficient ships that travel longer distances.

The Association of Employers in Merchant Shipping (VWH) and the union Nautilus reached an agreement at the beginning of 2025 on a one-year CLA. The social partners have since dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's, and now the text of the VWH CLA 2025 is final for VWH members.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will soon be gathering in London to make a decision that will shape the shipping industry for decades. The 176 members states must agree on new climate measures, which deliver on the IMO GHG strategy agreed upon in 2023. If IMO fails to reach an agreement, it will be a major setback for efforts to steer the shipping industry toward net-zero emissions by 2050

Last Wednesday and Thursday in Brussels, various maritime stakeholders and policymakers gathered to discuss the future of a strong maritime cluster.

Last Wednesday, during the European Shipping Summit, the KVNR organised a panel discussion together with shipowners' associations Anave (Spain) and Confitarma (Italy) on the theme “unlocking the potential of short sea shipping”.

European policymakers discuss sustainability, market standards, and funding in maritime shipping. Read the key outcomes here.

The Dutch shipowners support stricter rules for the transport of plastic pellets at sea and fully support the Netherlands' proposal to the International Maritime Organization to (1) provide plastic pellets with a specific UN number and (2) bring the transport of plastic pellets at sea under the international rules for the transport of dangerous goods (IMDG code).

Last week, the EU ministers responsible for the internal market and industry policy areas met in Brussels. On behalf of the Netherlands, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Dirk Beljaarts, participated in this Competitiveness Council.