Haven Amsterdam

Waste: Collection, Storage and Disposal

The convention

The convention consists of three parts:

1. Collection, storage and disposal of oil and grease-bearing ship’s industrial waste.
2. Collection, storage and disposal of cargo waste.
3. Collection, storage and disposal of other ship’s industrial waste. 

This based on the idea that the polluter pays the costs of collecting, treating or processing the waste.

The Foundation for Waste Materials & Shipping Documents in Inland Shipping (SAB)

The SAB is, among others, responsible for reducing, collecting and further disposing of waste materials (only with regard to part A of the SAV, waste materials) generated via professional inland shipping, and maintaining a network of reception facilities in the Netherlands.

The SAB is also responsible for providing, checking and further processing of sailing documents on behalf of inland vessels and/or crew on inland vessels. In short, this means the SAB is the implementing body.

The SAB is a legal entity (foundation) with statutory tasks. After the entry into force of the treaty, the organisation will have an additional statutory duty, namely that of a National Institute that is responsible for organising the funding system and establishing the network of collection points. 

Compulsory discharge statement

Regarding part B (Collection, storage and disposal of cargo waste), the treaty includes an obligation for shippers and receptions facilities: the compulsory discharge statement. The loading and unloading facility is responsible for subsequent cleaning of the inland vessel. This must comply with the applicable rules (sweep clean, vacuum clean or cleaning of the tanks) in accordance with the list of designated substances. The reception facility will sign the compulsory discharge statement thereby stating that the vessel has been subsequently cleaned. If the shipper agrees to have the vessel subsequently, then he will sign the compulsory discharge statement. The vessel is not authorised to sail without a compulsory discharge statement.

Supervision and Enforcement

The Transport, Public Works and Water Management Inspectorate is responsible for the inspections of the compliance to the rules regarding funding under part A. Other supervisors will be responsible for the other parts of the treaty. Within the Amsterdam port area the Supervision, Environment and Safety department is responsible for conducting environmental inspections on board inland vessels.

Reports and information on compliance to the treaty

As 1 November 2009 the Port of Rotterdam’s central communications room (CMH) will serve as a 24-hour report and information point, during the first six months after the treaty comes into force. 

You can contact the centre to report violations to the treaty and to request information with regard to cargo waste. Shippers and supervisors can contact the CMH with all their questions relating to shipping waste. The centre can be reached via tel. 010-2521000.

Handbook on the Collection, Storage and Disposal of Waste Water (SAV)

The Handbook on the Collection, Storage and Disposal of Waste Water (SAV).pdf (592.5 Kb) can be downloaded (in Dutch only) via the link on the right of this page. The manual explain all aspects of the treaty.

For telephone numbers and other contact information please click on Contact & Service.