GroenLinks-PvdA submits motion on fuel oil quality

Just now, Habtamu de Hoop submitted two motions on behalf of GroenLinks-PvdA in the House of Representatives during the Two Minute Maritime Debate.

The first motion is about the fuel quality of fuel oil. This motion urges the government to improve regulation and enforcement around the quality of fuel oil. This should prevent undesirable substances from entering the fuel.

The quality of marine fuels has long been a concern for the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR). Sea-going ships unfortunately regularly experience poor fuel quality at ports where they bunker. This leads to problems with ship engines, risks for the crew and possibly environmental damage.

The quality of marine fuels has long been a concern for the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners. Sea-going ships unfortunately regularly experience poor fuel quality at ports where they bunker. This leads to problems with ship engines, risks for the crew and possibly environmental damage.

The second motion is about tightening international discharge standards, in general and specifically in Dutch Natura 2000 areas.

The KVNR supports the international tightening of standards when necessary for the protection of the environment. In this respect, it is essential that the need for tightening is well-founded and practical. Moreover, tightening standards should take into account entrepreneurs who have recently invested in technology that may become unusable due to the new standards.

In response to both motions, the minister indicated that work is already underway on these issues and that the House will be further briefed on them shortly.

Therefore, Mr De Hoop chose to hold the motions for now. Therefore, there will be no vote on these motions for now.