The prices for the teeny-tiny little beach huts in Hoek van Holland have skyrocketed in past years. A house of 15 square meters currently sells for up to 250,000 euros. And that excludes the annual 6,000 euros to store the house for winter because the beach huts or “strandhuisjes” can only be used from April to the end of September, Rijnmond reports The beach huts are located along the edge of the dunes on the Hoek beach They are very close together and consist of a small bathroom The owners also have a small terrace at the front They enjoy the beach at their doorstep and can watch the sunset over the ocean from their homes The most expensive tiny beach house on Hoek van Holland beach is 250,000 euros they go for around 150,000 euros depending on the furnishings and condition of the house But that is still much more expensive than a few years ago they were really not that expensive,” an owner told the broadcaster “We paid around 60,000 euros for them then.” I would rather buy a large beach house somewhere abroad,” a woman told the broadcaster Another passerby called it a “ridiculous” amount “for such a small house.” Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker NETHERLANDS: The final 2·1 km section of RET metro Line B to the seaside station at Hoek van Holland Strand has opened, enabling people to reach the beach from the centre of Rotterdam in around 40 min The terminus has two tracks with a central platform There is an initial service of three trains/h on weekdays and Saturday afternoons and half-hourly on Sundays and holidays The opening on a rainy March 31 completes the project to replace passenger trains with metro services on the Hoek van Holland line which was once an important international rail route with connections to ferries The previous NS main line passenger services stopped at the end of March 2017 for what was initially planned as a six-month rebuilding But metro services to Hoek van Holland Haven did not launch until September 2019 Rebuilding the section from Hoek van Holland Haven to Strand and extending the line closer to the beach formed the next phase of the project with the start of revenue services put back from the previously planned opening in summer 2022 Photo: Kees Torn RET has purchased 22 HSG3 trainsets to operate the extended metro lines NETHERLANDS: September 30 saw the start of revenue services on the Schiedam Niewland – Hoek van Holland line following conversion of the former railway line to metro operation NETHERLANDS: Work to convert the 24 km railway between Schiedam Centrum and Hoek van Holland to metro operation began on April 1 with passenger services set to return in September The €312m project will modernise the six intermediate stations and build a .. Site powered by Webvision Cloud Leading the way to greener and smarter mobility Our ambition is to accompany all transportation stakeholders in meeting tomorrow’s mobility challenges We strive to provide them with the most efficient and digital mobility systems while further improving the environmental friendliness of our solutions We offer products from the broadest portfolio range in the rail industry Our innovation focus is on green and smart solutions Our state-of-the-art signalling solutions allow operators to ensure the highest standards in safe seamless travel with urban and mainline solutions that meet the specific needs of each operation environment With the widest components portfolio in the rail industry Alstom offers the best solution available to original equipment manufacturers for increasingly safe and environmentally-friendly travel We offer a complete range of sustainable solutions for tracklaying electrification and the supply and installation of electromechanical material along the entire track We provide solutions to deliver security and fluidity to passengers and operations by optimising real-time performance in signalling and multimodality by offering connectivity and automating driving We offer a complete range of customised services including maintenance All of which ensure operators the highest level of availability for their fleets Drawing on our complementary business lines we offer bundled and fully integrated systems that include rolling stock This turnkey approach optimises project execution and transport system performance Find the latest Alstom press releases and news The one stop shop for all relevant information for investors and shareholders Access our financial & share information shareholders' meetings and investors' contacts & presentations Select the agenda platform you whish to add the event on : Alstom Equity Story Universal Registration Document 2023/24 including the annual financial report You know we make trains move. Discover how we move the world. At Alstom, we value curious and innovative people who are passionate about working together to reinvent mobility, making it smarter and more sustainable. We are building an agile, inclusive, and responsible culture, where diverse people are offered opportunities to learn, grow and advance in their careers, with options across functions and geographies. This event marks Alstom’s complete delivery for the Hoekse Line, and is one example of how rail control and signalling technology is contributing to RET’s ambitious strategy to maximise rail capacity with improved performance and efficiency of the line. More specifically the Hoekse line will provide a new public transport option to the beach – its direct access will reduce travel time and motivate a shift to public transport.  Bernard Belvaux, Managing Director Benelux  says: “We thank RET’s engineering and management teams for the strong collaboration in making this project a success. The inauguration of the last mile shows the reliability of Alstom’s signalling solutions and the know-how of our teams to deliver safety systems for urban mobility.” Johan Taal, Manager Strategische Programma’s & Projecten of RET stresses: “This last mile is central in our strategy for our passengers ensuring their transport to an emblematic place like the beach. Signalling is an important component of this mobility project.” Alstom has delivered software that manages 30 safety sections and one technical room. The system has been installed by a project team of over 25 engineers and technicians from Utrecht and Katowice (Poland), in close coordination with the RET project management team in Rotterdam.  In addition to the signalling system installed, Alstom is managing the maintenance of the total Hoekse Line, providing 24-hour assistance to RET, including preventive and corrective activities. Photo: Peter Hilz/ HHThe European Commission has again delayed the launch of the new EU border system which was due to become operational this November The EES is an IT system that will register non-EU citizens both short-stay visa holders and visa exempt travellers each time they arrive and leave the Schengen free-movement area The system will replace the manual stamping of passports and register the person’s name biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) It was designed to increase security by electronically verifying overstays or any previous entry refusal EES kiosks are being installed at maritime and air border crossing points Rotterdam airport and the Eurostar stations in Rotterdam and Amsterdam The EES launch has previously been postponed because of IT issues but in August the Commission announced that it would become operational on November 10th after a meeting of EU Home Affairs ministers EU commissioner Ylva Johansson said the date was “no longer on the table” The commission is now pursuing “a phased approach” with some border crossing points going live “I hope that we can start as soon as possible but there is no new timeline so far,” the commissioner said The phased approach could require changes to the current EES regulations and the Commission is carrying out a legal assessment it would be the best way to start in parallel with the old and new system to avoid any risk if something will not function as we expect,” she said The Commissioner also said that three EU member states It is understood the system has not been tested live yet and France was especially concerned at the risk of congestion at the UK border The EU agency in charge of the IT infrastructure also had concerns about the ‘resilience of the system’ An extraordinary meeting of the eu-LISA management board is planned this week A spokesman for Schiphol airport told Dutch News the airport is “fully prepared” for the implementation of the system the airport has completed all necessary preparations including the installation of self-service kiosks and the enhancement of wayfinding systems,” the spokesman said providing them with all necessary information and support.” many non-EU citizens will also have to pay a €7 fee for short stays in the Schengen area The conclusions of the EU Council meeting last week say this is due to become operational in the first half of 2025 We could not provide the Dutch News service without the generous support of our readers Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days We could not provide this service without you Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey One of the biggest moving structures in the world, the Maeslantkering is a storm surge barrier protecting the port city of Rotterdam The huge machine consists of two large arms on each side of the waterway that can float into position and then be submerged It's the sheer size of the arms that makes Maeslantkering so impressive: Each is almost 800 feet long (more than 200 feet taller than the Washington Monument) and is connected to the mainland with the world's largest ball joints The project involved the building of dams, dikes, storm barriers, levees, and other such structures. One look at the Maeslantkering and the scale of this infrastructure is obvious. With its gigantic moving parts and vast span, it is truly a technological marvel. Those interested can learn more about the structure by visiting the nearby Technology Museum at the Keringhuis. This giant, 83-year-old ship elevator is an engineering feat to behold. The ruins of a failed dam that was built over land later described as a "sponge." The tallest stone dam in Poland was opened by Kaiser Wilhelm II himself. Thanks to its curved shape, this incredibly durable dam "whispers" to visitors. This gaping hole in the middle of a remote mountain lake looks like a portal to another dimension. Tucked away along a riverbend in an area known for its uranium mines is one of the world's tallest locks. An engineering masterpiece, or “Scheme of Madness?” Boats and fish both find their way through this massive hydroelectric structure. ‘There’s no such thing as a grand exit via Hoek van Holland,’ say leading rail writers I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The late-running project to reconnect a key ferry link from the UK with the European rail network officially reopens today – to criticism that railway heritage has been lost Passengers on the historic crossing from Harwich to Hook of Holland in the Netherlands could once choose from an array of express trains deep into Europe But they must now board a tram that runs on line B of the Rotterdam metro network and later change to the Dutch railway network Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries describe the link on a journey from Rotterdam to the UK and onwards to Ireland and write: “It’s odd to depart on such an ambitious journey on a local metro tram “There’s no such thing as a grand exit via Hook of Holland.” The Dutch port’s rail station opened in 1893 and became the continental hub for destinations in Denmark Hook of Holland was for a time a starting point for the Orient Express The final Warszawa Express to the Polish capital departed exactly 100 years after the station opened and since 1993 services have dwindled still further The Boat Train to Amsterdam was abandoned a decade ago The railway line was closed in March 2017 for what was intended to be a six-month project to convert it to a stop on the Rotterdam Metro But the connecting bus for passengers arriving by ferry from Harwich had to run for two years longer than expected with a journey time of 34 minutes from the Beurs station in central Rotterdam It does not serve the city’s central station though some long-distance trains are accessible via the intermediate station The link is included in the “Dutchflyer” ticket which offers travel from any Greater Anglia station – including London Liverpool Street Cambridge and Norwich – to any station in the Netherlands for a one-way fare starting at £55 Rotterdam is now served three times daily direct from London St Pancras by Eurostar. One of the routes formerly served from Hook of Holland – via Hamburg and a rail-ferry to Copenhagen – is to end in December when the new schedules take effect across Europe. The European Rail Timetable reports: “Services between Hamburg and København will cease running via Puttgarden and the Rødby Ferry. Three daily services will run instead via Padborg and Odense.” The timetable’s editor, Chris Woodcock, said: “The change on the Hamburg-Copenhagen route is the start of a long-term project, the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link, to completely transform travel between the two cities. “The journey time via the alternative route is roughly the same as now, although it will, of course, increase journey times to and from intermediate points. “The novelty of trains being transported on a ferry on this route will be no more but, for those wishing to experience this unusual process, it still happens when the Berlin Night Express runs between Berlin and Malmö – and on a regular basis in southern Italy.” Trenitalia services link Rome and Naples with Messina and Catania in Sicily. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies restoring link between UK and Netherlands","description":"‘There’s no such thing as a grand exit via Hoek van Holland,’ say leading rail writers and Europoort is affecting thousands of households and several large chemical companies The cause of the outage and how long it will last is still unknown The power went out at around 10:05 a.m. this morning, Rijnmod reports It is unclear how large an area and how many people are affected The Stena Line and P&O Ferries are also without power the problem seems to be in the distribution station in Europoort Grid manager Stedin has engineers working to identify and solve the problem The impacted chemical companies are forced to flare - burning their flammable gasses in a controlled manner This is often accompanied by a large flame and thick clouds of smoke The factories need to flare because they can’t function properly without electricity an explosion could occur in the worst-case scenario You can read this article in 2 minutesGregor Gowans Ferry operator Stena Lines has announced that the €1M refit of its Stena Hollandica and Stena Britannica vessels is now complete The two ferries are to operate on the Harwich-Hoek van Holland route Stena Line said that the ferries were in dry-dock in the EDR Shipyard in the historic Port of Antwerp “to undergo their regular annual maintenance to keep them up to the company’s high standards” The ferry operator added that the ships also received “some exciting new additions to the onboard services on offer for passengers” Among the areas to get a facelift are the two Barista Bars on the ferries which have received “a new stylish Scandinavian look and feel” The duty-free area has also been expanded due to the increase in purchases made since Brexit: with onboard spend per passengers increasing by an enormous 118% in 2021 To cater for this huge demand Stena Line has added a new additional Duty Free shop to each vessel extending the retail floorspace on both ships by a whopping 40% Allowing the company to greatly increase not only the capacity of goods on sale but also extend the range of products on sale by almost a third Meaning more Duty Free bargains on sale for its North Sea customers who can save up to 50% off UK high street prices,” says the ferry operator each vessel has over 5kms of vehicle lanes This allows each ship to carry 300 trucks and 230 cars At a gross tonnage of 63,000 gt they are the largest vessels currently operating in Stena Line’s fleet Pölös Zsófia Journalist Trans.info | 6.05.2025 Fragrance on the Fly: Why Pocket Perfumes Are Perfect for Airplane TravelSponsored Article 6.05.2025 Storm Floriane brought wind gusts peaking at 108 kilometers per hour so far on Monday, with nearly all of the Netherlands experienced gusts of at least 80 kilometers per hour. Floriane became the second storm already this year, and the third winter storm this season, with the country's North Sea shore battered by extreme winds most of the afternoon. The peak gust of 108 km/h was measured at Hoek van Holland, but the weather station in IJmuiden also recorded a gust of 105 km/h. The Marker Wadden nature reserve also saw a swift gust of 104 km/h. The stiffest winds were not only measured in Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland and Zeeland, but also the central and northern region of the country saw maximum wind speeds above 90 kilometers per hour. In fact, gusts of 90 to 95 km/h were still impacting the Wadden Islands of Texel and Vlieland between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. While the entire country was under a Code Yellow weather warning for most of the afternoon, the alert was lifted everywhere except the Wadden Sea region and Friesland. Those two areas can still expect gusts of up to 90 km/h through 11 p.m. Floriane earned its designation as a storm in the Netherlands between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., according to data from meteorological office KNMI and weather website WeerOnline. The KNMI defines an official storm as one where the average sustained wind speed at at least one of its stations reaches wind force 9 for a full 60-minute period beginning at the top of any given hour. This happened at the IJmuiden station on Monday afternoon. Wind force 9 on the Beaufort Scale ranges from 75 to 88 km/h, a measurement which was also reached in western Zeeland, IJmuiden, the Marker Wadden, Texel and Vlieland, as of 7 p.m. Storms also hit the Netherlands on New Year's Day and on Dec. 6. The previous winter season of 2023-2024 saw four official winter storms, including Pia on Dec. 21, Henk on Jan. 2, Isha on Jan. 22, and Jocelyn on Jan. 24. There were no winter storms during the previous season, but six diffrent storms struck during the winter of 2021-2022, according to WeerOnline. © 2012-2025, NL Times, All rights reserved. 2024 Photo: Kievith/DepositphotosTwo men have been arrested after a shooting incident on board a crowded metro train in the Rotterdam area A gun was fired while the train was standing in Hoek van Holland Haven the penultimate stop on the line to the beach resort Police arrested two men from Schiedam aged 20 and 21 and recovered a weapon but two other men were injured during an altercation that took place just before the shooting a 20-year-old from The Hague and a 22-year-old from Vlaardingen One was said to have suffered a head injury “It’s a miracle that nobody was hit by the bullets,” a police spokesman said The gunmen fled the train but were identified from camera images and arrested shortly afterwards in the area of Stationsweg The metro stop at Hoek van Holland Haven was closed for several hours while police investigated the incident but trains continued to run on the line B route from Nesselande to Hoek van Holland Strand Ferries play a vital role in the public transport infrastructure of many waterside towns and cities which remain in ports for six hours on average need electricity to run amenities such as heating Currently the electricity is produced with onboard diesel generators noxious emissions and the accompanying unpleasant smell more than 100,000 vessels dock at 4,500 ports worldwide producing around 900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually This is equivalent to the emissions from 220 coal-fired power plants and it has been estimated that by year 2015 the volume of trade carried by sea will have tripled ABB's shore-to-ship power solution helps to reduce emissions by 98 percent and cut noise and vibrations in ports substantially by connecting ships to the port's electricity grid via shore-to-ship power connection This means that ferries no longer have to run their engines in port which allows them to operate their amenities more efficiently and with lower emissions by connecting to an onshore power supply ABB's fully integrated shore-to-ship power solution was activated at the port of Rotterdam one of the world's largest ferry companies has taken steps to mitigate the negative impact of their operations on the local community and the environment As part of the plan to cut their fleet's fuel consumption Stena Line invested in the complete electrical infrastructure needed to simultaneously power two vessels while berthed in the port of Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands To support Stena Line in their ambitious plan ABB supplied a complete substation and automation package based on PCS 6000 static frequency converters rated at 6 MVA (megavolt amperes) Frequency converters adapt the power from 50 Hz (hertz) both onshore and onboard the ships was accomplished by ABB within a year of receiving the purchase order in July 2011 The solution was shipped in December 2011 and was operational by mid June 2012 "It is important for us to improve air quality as much as possible and find a sustainable solution for the local residents which is why we decided to install shore-to-ship power," said Pim de Lange Managing Director of Stena Line Netherlands its excellent reputation in the industry and our previous working experience with the company were the reasons why we chose ABB as a supplier for this project," said de Lange a district of Rotterdam situated on the North Sea coast and with an estimated population of around 10,000 is one of the main ferry ports connecting mainland Europe to Britain The inhabitants of Hoek van Holland are familiar with the adverse effects of having a ferry port on their doorstep since there is no buffer zone between the local community and the port when ships arrived and when they were docked we would usually hear a lot of noise and feel vibrations but now it is nice and quiet," said Rieki Sliep To comply with the demanding requirements to reduce port emissions both ship-owners and ports need to rely on innovative technologies ABB's shore-to-ship power is an investment that reduces the environmental burden improving quality of life and saving money in the long term by cutting down fuel consumption Want to know more about this shore-to-ship installation ABB's website uses cookies. By staying here you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn more I agree By 2019-09-30T14:55:00 NETHERLANDS: September 30 saw the start of revenue services on the Schiedam Niewland – Hoek van Holland line following conversion of the former railway line to metro operation The line reopened for free rides over the weekend of September 28-29 Already have an account? LOG IN You’ve reached your limit of content for the month Register for free now A livestock checkpoint has been operational in the port of Rotterdam since January 8, 2021. The Animal Centre Hoek van Holland (ACH) is located at the Stena Line terminal and is run jointly by ECS Livestock and Stena Line. The checkpoint in Hoek van Holland is the only place in the Dutch seaports where live animals can undergo veterinary inspection, making it unique to the port of Rotterdam. The inspection of animals coming from the United Kingdom has been mandatory since 1 January this year, the date on which the Brexit transition period ended. © ONE OCEAN MARITIME MEDIA. All Rights Reserved. Since 2014, Deltares has been updating the Sea Level Monitor for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The monitor determines the status and development of the sea level to support policies for flood risk management. The results of the Sea Level Monitor are used to determine issues such as the annual requirement for sand nourishment. The monitor also plays a role in the assessment and design of the primary flood defences. Over the past year, Deltares was able to determine the sea level even more accurately, thanks to advanced analysis techniques that calculate the impact of wind on sea level better. In addition, it is possible to look back almost an extra thirty years (to 1950 instead of 1979). However, this did not affect the conclusions on the trends in sea level rise. Martijn Klein Obbink (Rijkswaterstaat): Monitoring the sea level is extremely important for the Netherlands. The Sea Level Monitor provides us with a good picture of the current rise on the Dutch coast. Rijkswaterstaat and KNMI will continue to monitor sea level rise closely in the years ahead." By 2013-01-07T10:18:00 NETHERLANDS: Proposals to convert the 24 km railway between Schiedam Centrum and Hoek van Holland for metro operation were approved by Stadsregio Rotterdam and the municipalities of Maassluis Sunniva Rosein Maasdijk and Hoek van HollandOctober 07, 2022 Rail-sea link from Harwich will use bus until September One of the great Continental gateways is finally set to re-open its rail link But the connecting bus for passengers arriving by ferry from Harwich has had to run for two years longer than expected The ferry service between Harwich and Hoek van Holland Direct boat trains ran to Harwich from UK cities such as Birmingham said: “It’s my preferred route to the Continent and I am looking forward to the return of the rail connection on the Dutch side.” the international rail guru who runs the Seat61.com website said: “Stena Line sell Rail & Sail tickets from London or any Greater Anglia station to Amsterdam or any Dutch station from £55 each way “There’s both a daytime service and a time-effective overnight one with comfy private cabins It’s a convenient and very affordable no-fly way to travel to the Netherlands demand for train-ferry-train links declined While Stena Line continues to run a twice-daily ferry between Harwich and Hook of Holland the once-mighty Continental rail terminus was relegated to part of the Metro system for the second-biggest city in the Netherlands The project has gone 25 per cent above the original budget of €372m (£334m) Initial hold-ups were due to the discovery of contaminated ground and traces of asbestos but later delays were due to problems with signalling software During the protracted project, Rotterdam gained its own direct connection from London with Eurostar trains via Brussels. There are now three daily trains on the route. The information on this page is intended for journalists If you click NO you will come back to Mynewsdesk.com In the latest example of the growing use of Cavotec’s innovative shore-to-ship electrical power supply technologies Stena Line has officially opened two Cavotec Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) systems at its terminal in Hoek van Holland (Rotterdam) The result of close cooperation between Cavotec and partners Stena Line the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure these are the first shore power systems for sea-going vessels introduced at the Port of Rotterdam They also form an important element in the Port’s stated aim of becoming the most sustainable port in the world Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment inaugurated the AMP systems at a ceremony attended by representatives from the primary partners in the project including Stena Line “These projects demonstrate what ports can achieve when we pool engineering expertise to develop innovative We work with a number of trusted partners to develop AMP systems and other technologies for the ports sector and elsewhere,” comments Sietse Nap Cavotec’s involvement in the projects included the supply of two shore-to-ship interface cable management systems that ensure the safe and quick connection of shore side electrical supply to four Stena Line ferries One of the two units is a cable dispenser system that connects electrical power to the Stena Transit and Stena Transporter: two freight ferries that sail between Hoek van Holland and Killinghome on the east coast of the UK The other system is installed at Stena Line’s passenger ferry berth that serves the Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica on the Hoek van Holland to Harwich route The centrepiece of this application is a telescopic crane that extends some 20 metres Cavotec has worked on a large number of similar AMP installations across northern Europe the Port of Karlskrona and the Port of Ystad all use Cavotec AMP systems The very first AMP system became operational at the Port of Gothenburg in 1984 Cavotec AMP systems enable vessels to switch off their engines while docked and to connect to shore side electricity to power services such as lighting Switching off ships’ engines and connecting to grid-generated electricity reduces fuel consumption and dramatically cuts particulate matter emissions thus helping improve air quality in ports and surrounding communities “The systems at Hoek van Holland have been tested since March this year and local residents are already reporting improvements in air quality and reductions in noise pollution,” says Nap Cavotec’s shore power systems are also increasingly widely used elsewhere in Europe and at ports on the US west coast Cavotec announced multiple AMP orders from the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Oakland The Port of Los Angeles has also used the technology at several container berths for many years Cavotec manufactures a diverse range of advanced technologies that help ports around the world to operate safely These products include automated mooring systems Cavotec is a leading global engineering group developing innovative technologies that enable the maritime and general industry sectors to operate productively and sustainably News of the latest in a series of orders Cavotec's Ports & Maritime unit has won for electrical power and spreader cable reel units for ship-to-shore container cranes; this time for a major new development at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka The Port of Long Beach and the Port of Oakland have selected Cavotec's innovative Alternative Maritime Power systems for installation at multiple berths ensuring safe easy and quick connection to grid-generated electrical power This enables ships to switch of their engines while docked thus making a substantial improvement to air quality in and around these ports News of two major Cavotec cable reel projects for ship-to-shore container crane applications in The Netherlands and Malaysia Cavotec's uniquely innovative technology for mooring for ships This press release provides details of the most recent application for the technology: a container handling application on the Mediterranean Sea; the second of its kind there News of our latest project for our innovative Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) shore-to-ship electrical power systems this time at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) looks set to be an integral element of one of several measures included by the Port of Los Angeles in the latest round of the Port's container handling "Pier 300" expansion programme The decisive role one of Cavotec's benchmark technologies plays in improving air quality in ports and surrounding communities was highlighted recently as the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach announced their Clean Air Action Awards Swedish Environment Minister Lena Ek recently opened an innovative Cavotec Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) shore-to-ship electrical application at the Port of Ystad in southern Sweden - the largest high voltage shore connection in the world Cavotec is a leading cleantech company that designs and delivers connection and electrification solutions that enable the decarbonisation of ports and industrial applications Backed by more than 40 years of experience efficient and sustainable operations for a wide variety of customers and applications worldwide When you choose to create a user account and follow a newsroom your personal data will be used by us and the owner of the newsroom for you to receive news and updates according to your subscription settings To learn more about this, please read our Privacy Policy, which applies to our use of your personal data, and our Privacy Policy for Contacts which applies to the use of your personal data by the owner of the newsroom you follow Please note that our Terms of Use apply to all use of our services You can withdraw your consent at any time by unsubscribing or deleting your account The seal population is doing well in the Zuid-Holland Delta so that’s also the case in the port of Rotterdam This century has clearly seen an increase in the numbers of these creatures According to Marlies de Kraauw of the A Seal rescue centre there are around 1500 grey seals and 1000 common seals living in the delta the Stellendam seal rescue centre released the two rescued seals Rami and Corneel on port of Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte beach Veldkijker recorded the event for the film ‘Wild Port of Europe - De Nieuwe Wildernis 2.0’ the shooting for this wildlife film which is taking place in the ports of Rotterdam and Moerdijk is going well “We were unable to get a number of shots during the past breeding season We still expect the film to premiere in the autumn of 2021,” says Melanie Kutzke of Veldkijker “Over the past few months we have recorded some extraordinary footage of kestrels nesting in containers roe deer on a solar farm at Shell Moerdijk and now the release back into the wild of these seals.” The Port of Rotterdam Authority is rightly proud of its seal population “The seals at Kleine Beer (Little Bear) Island are the port’s calling card They salute all seafarers as they leave or arrive at the port The Fast Ferry from Hoek van Holland to Maasvlakte makes a detour on every trip so passengers can take photographs of these creatures The seals have made this place their home from which to hunt and rest undisturbed Each day they consume about ten percent of their body weight in fish So our seals can easily get through a few thousand kilos of fish a day,” says environmental consultant Robbert Wolf Dutch waters are home to the common seal (Phoca Vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) Both the common and the grey seal are on the Dutch Red List of Mammals This lists all endangered mammals in the Netherlands Many of our patients are pups and juvenile animals that have suffered external trauma have become separated from their mothers or suffer from pneumonia We also see animals that have waste around their necks or torsos,” says Marlies de Kraauw Rami (seal 778) was found on 13/07/2020 in an unusual place: an industrial estate with little access to the waterside and given the condition of the pup it seemed that mother and pup had been separated a few days earlier there was no way that the pup’s mother could have reached it there The animal was admitted to A Seal to rebuild its strength Corneel (seal 781) was admitted on 18/07/2020 with a badly infected area on the left side of its mouth and it also had an injury to its left eye External trauma is often the cause (possibly a bite) and treating the pain and infection in conjunction with a good diet usually does the trick regained his weight and there’s no more sign of infection in his mouth Both animals have been given ID numbers using external flipper tags and microchip implants Select if you want to receive the newsletter: Close this window to continue your previous journey or click on the button below to go to the homepage in your selected language Swedish firm’s two biggest vessels get extended and upgraded facilities This week the Swedish ferry company Stena Line’s two largest ferries have completed a €1M refit to provide brand new onboard facilities were in dry-dock in the EDR Shipyard in the historic Port of Antwerp to undergo their regular annual maintenance to keep them up to the company’s high standards While there they also received some exciting new additions to the onboard services on offer for passengers To cater for this huge demand Stena Line has added a new additional Duty Free shop to each vessel who can save up to 50% off UK high street prices Dog ownership has also been booming during the Pandemic and with more people than ever travelling with fury friends pet lovers will be pleased to hear about a brand new option Stena Line are offering dog-friendly cabins 15 of the vessel’s 500 cabins have been converted to allow passengers to travel together with their happy dogs Dog-friendly cabins are suggestions that passengers have been requesting via the company’s satisfaction surveys so they are pleased to be able to respond to their customers’ requests for those passengers that enjoy the wide selection of onboard facilities the vessels two popular Barista Bars have received a new stylish Scandinavian look and feel Allowing customers to enjoy their journeys eating Each of the vessels top of the range Captain’s Suites have also been refurbished to maintain the high standards that Stena Line’s premium customers demand and expect Trade Director for the North Sea said: “Our annual dry-docking programme is key to keeping our vessels ship-shape and continue looking so good It also allows us to be flexible in responding to our customers’ demand so we’ve taken the opportunity to extend our onboard Duty Free offer to provide for more products and more bargains for our customers We are also pleased to offer our first ever dog-friendly cabins We listened to our many customers who have requested this option and they can now have up to 3 dogs with them in each of our 15 dog-friendly cabins We looking to forward to welcoming all our customers including out four-legged friends back on newly refurbished vessels on the North Sea.” Stena Line currently offers fares to The Netherlands starting at £59 for a car and driver. To book go to: https://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland Stena Hollandica and Stena Britannica fast-facts: at 240m in length and at 32m width At a gross tonnage of 63,000 gt they are the largest vessels currently operating in Stena Line’s fleet PR & Communications Manager (Irish Sea and North Sea) +353 (0)868858789, simon.palmer@stenaline.com The court sentenced a Dutch truck driver to four years in prison, six months of which conditionally suspended, for trying to smuggle 47 people onto the ferry to England. The 33-year-old man from Gemert-Bakel was convicted of people smuggling. The sentence is equal to what the Public Prosecution Service (OM) had recommended The Dutch authorities caught the man in Hoek van Holland on December 5 last year when sniffer dogs alerted to the suspect’s truck at the border crossing point for the ferry to England When Koninklijke Marechaussee officers searched the truck and children hiding in the trailer among vintage cars The truck’s tarpaulin had no cuts and was closed with hooks only reachable from outside a policing force that’s part of the Dutch military and is responsible for border security The man also confessed to that during interrogation saying he received 45,000 to get these people to the U.K. the prosecutor called people smuggling a “reprehensible crime,” pointing out that these people were trapped in the truck with no protection against its cargo and no way out In 2019, 39 Vietnamese people suffocated to death in the back of a refrigerated truck that had traveled from Zeebrugge to the United Kingdom by ferry. On Thursday, May 9, Ascension Day, it is time again for the annual beach opening in Hoek van Holland. Get your feet off the floor, because with artists such as La Fuente, Kriss Kross Amsterdam and Jody Bernal it promises to be a party! Like every year, a number of beach clubs open their doors to provide you with a good party. As always, you will find the Royal Festival at Royal. With no fewer than five different stages, you can listen to live performances by Jody Bernal, Lucas and Steve, Lady Bee, Kriss Kross Amsterdam, Bombastic, and Feest DJ Aron, among others. Villa on the Beach also opens its doors for a great festival, with performances by La Fuente, Roog, Trobi, Freddy Moreira and more. Finally, like every year, you can go to Maribu Beach, where cover band Bahamas will provide the best tunes from 4 PM. Would you like to go to the beach but would rather not go to a party? Then visit the annual fair! From 10 AM to 4 PM you can stroll along the Rivierkant past countless stalls in one of the largest fairs in South Holland. It promises to be a busy day and, if all goes well, it will include some sunshine. The best way to reach Hoek van Holland is of course by metro. Because with the arrival of the Hoek van Holland metro line, the coastline has come even closer! This metro ride only takes 37 minutes from the city centre. It wasn't until the Stena Line ferry arrived at the Hoek Van Holland, and the polite recording informed me in the safety of my cabin that it was now possible to disembark, that I really considered what I was doing. 'Bugger!' I thought, 'I really haven't thought this through.' Thankfully the doubt lasted all of five minutes. I put on my kilt and decided to have some whisky to mark the occasion. Never before had Dutch courage felt quite so apt. In the 1930s the war hero and author Patrick Leigh Fermor set out from the very same place as me, heading also for Constantinople. His first experience off the boat was to drink a shot with a landlord while 'dawn broke, with the snow coming down against the lightening sky.' Finally, with salami bursting from every pocket of my rucksack and a map obtained from a friendly man at the tourist information point, I set out for Rotterdam. It was perhaps a little ambitious for my first day as it's more than 30km away. But nevertheless, I felt determined. My boots were comfortable, my bag light and the breeze between my legs peculiarly liberating. Vast machines were at work around me and hard-hatted men stopped what they were doing one by one to look at something they most likely never expected to see that Wednesday morning; a lost Scotsman in his kilt. After a silent standoff one shouted, 'Scotland is that way', while pointing (I can only assume) towards Scotland. Chuckles spilled from the various telehandlers and forklifts. 'Rotterdam?' I asked of no one in particular and pointed at nothing very specific. Five or six men ambled across to me. Once they had me surrounded there was a ten-minute conversation in Dutch. I stood and waited, hoping they were discussing the quickest way to Rotterdam and not how best to make fun of me. Their voices rose suddenly and heated elements began to creep in. Perhaps they'd forgotten I was there. Perhaps I wasn't there. Perhaps I was still daydreaming. Netherlands (Reuters) - British troops disembarked in the Netherlands on Wednesday en route to Norway to test NATO's ability to move personnel and armor quickly across Europe an exercise officers said showed London's commitment to European security after Brexit Britain is moving some 600 armored vehicles jeeps and supply trucks and 1,200 troops by land to NATO's northern flank over 10 days to join the alliance's biggest exercises since the end of the Soviet Union since the Cold War," Dutch Brigadier General Hans Damen said as 76 dark green British army vehicles arrived at dawn at the ferry port of Hoek van Holland which has the biggest defense budget in the EU and is rivaled for military capability only by France is eager to show that despite its vote to leave the European Union it remains committed to Europe's security "In a post-Brexit world we will still do this we will still help our European partners," said British Major Stuart Lavery Part of NATO's response to Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea 45,000 troops from 29 NATO countries plus non-members Sweden and Finland will mass in the Arctic for the "Trident Juncture" exercise from Oct the exercise follows Russia's biggest drills since the 1980s Britain branded Russia a "pariah state" last week when along with the Netherlands and United States it accused Russian military intelligence of cyber attacks on the West Russia denies wrongdoing and blames NATO for threatening stability with a military build-up on Russia's borders commander of US naval forces in Europe and Africa said on Tuesday the alliance's preparedness was "a message to anyone who might conduct any kind of an aggressive act." The Arctic exercise emphasizes NATO's traditional role defending Europe after years when it took responsibility for the US-led war in far-off Afghanistan Allies will train in sub-zero temperatures to see how they fare when fuel threatens to freeze equipment jams and survival means keeping on special snow boots even inside sleeping bags the British troops will tackle more mundane obstacles en route such as border clearances and vehicle breakdowns "It's all about recording what issues arise and ensuring that we are ready for them in the future," said British Lieutenant Harry Busby (Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Peter Graff) The Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Municipality of Rotterdam have reached agreements on how to sustain flood risk management in the port and industrial area in light of the rise in sea level during the course of this century These agreements stem partly from the Port Authority and the municipality’s involvement in the Rijnmond-Drechtsteden Delta Programme The port area falls within the boundaries of the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Port Authority (owned by both the state and the municipality) is responsible for its development and management The Port Authority aims to counter the effects of climate change while ensuring that the port area continues to make a significant contribution to prosperity and employment in the Netherlands The area outside the flood defence system is the largest of its kind in the country businesses and users are themselves responsible for introducing measures to limit the effects caused by any flooding the Port Authority will be contacting the business community concerned to provide it with information and draw up agreements on measures designed to remain a flood-resistant port far into the future The port areas are currently safe from high water levels They were constructed three to six metres above sea level and are partially protected by storm surge barriers In order to remain a flood-resistant port and maintain a healthy business climate the Port Authority has launched the ‘flood management adaptation strategy’ programme The Port Authority is working on this in partnership with the Municipality of Rotterdam One of the goals is to raise awareness among businesses about the potential risks that climate change entails The reports describe changes and measures (adaptation strategy) that will be introduced in various port areas - such as Europoort and Botlek - aimed at preventing or limiting the consequences of a flooding event and ensure continued protection of the area into the future The integrated strategy for the entire port and industrial area will be completed later this year mean the risk of flooding will rise in the Port of Rotterdam and its surrounding areas Current climate change scenarios predict a sea level rise of between 35 and 110 cm from 1990 until after 2100 The great economic significance and the presence of vital and vulnerable functions in parts of the port area mean that a timely response to the consequences of this is desirable It will allow the port to anticipate the rise in sea level and incorporate it into further development the port will be able to make responsible investments to maintain its flood-resistant status It’s probably safe to say that Rotterdam ship pilot Marijn van Hoorn is not afraid of heights  Not only does he get to pilot the vast assortment of ships that call on Rotterdam but getting to work can often include being lowered by a cable on to the deck of a ship from a helicopter Van Hoorn notes that when the wave height offshore Rotterdam is over 3.2 meters it’s too dangerous to embark and disembark large ships and those carrying dangerous cargo such as tankers via a pilot ladder which is sketchy in it’s own right at times he hops aboard one of Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen’s Airbus helicopters and is lowered aboard the ship via a cable hoist He says that during periods of heavy weather where wave heights are 2.4 meters or more smaller vessels will embark and disembark the pilots inside the breakwaters These vessels are piloted in by means of “Shore based Pilotage,” where a pilot is physically at VTS station Hoek van Holland and guides the vessels in (or out) Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox May 2 (Reuters) – A ship carrying humanitarian aid and activists for Gaza was bombed by drones in international waters off Malta early on Friday Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran on Wednesday that it will face consequences for supporting the Houthis even as the United States has relaunched talks with Iran over its nuclear program The US economy contracted at the start of the year for the first time since 2022 on a monumental pre-tariffs import surge and more moderate consumer spending a first snapshot of the ripple effects from President Donald Trump’s trade policy Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news For general inquiries and to contact us,please email: [email protected] To submit a story idea or contact our editors, please email: [email protected] For advertising opportunities contactEmail: [email protected]Phone: +1.805.704.2536 Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe Photo By Ronald On November 11th the tug Fairplay 22 got underway to assist the ferry Stena Britannica in her transit to the Stena Terminal Towing Line gives us details on the incident: This afternoon the German registered tug Fairplay 22 (Imo 9148764) capsized at Hoek van Holland The accident happened this afternoon around 16.00 hrs near the Berghaven The capsizing of the tug happened due to very bad weather according a spokesman of the Security region Rotterdam/Rijnmond Currently 1 body has been recovered and another remains missing The photo above shows the sheerleg crane barge Taklift 7 assisting in the recovery efforts A Swedish probe found no conclusive evidence to suggest that a Chinese ship had deliberately dragged its anchor to damage two Baltic Sea cables Sweden's Accident Investigation Authority said on Tuesday though a separate investigation remains under way By Valerie Volcovici April 11 (Reuters) – The administration of President Donald Trump aims to eliminate the arm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that oversees research on climate change and refocus the U.S... The Estonian navy detained and boarded a Russia-bound oil tanker on an EU sanctions list on Friday accusing it of sailing illegally without a valid country flag For general inquiries and to contact us,please email: [email protected] To submit a story idea or contact our editors, please email: [email protected] For advertising opportunities contactEmail: [email protected]Phone: +1.805.704.2536 From corporate hierarchy to typical Dutch customs here’s what you need to know about work culture in the Netherlands By Rebecca Piercy People in the Netherlands have a distinct way of conducting business and behaving in the workplace – and it differs a lot from other countries. Whether you’re looking for a job or would like to start your own business it’s good to familiarize yourself with the Dutch way of doing things – before you commit a collegial faux pas Discover how you can integrate seamlessly into the Dutch workplace by exploring the following topics: Trying to land the job that will take you on your next big adventure Make sure your application is top of the pile with Resume.io's online resume builder The Netherlands is renowned for having a competitive and stable economy, with an incredibly favorable fiscal climate the country has established itself as a hub for international trade and investment Conveniently, the majority of people speak fluent English as well. This makes the Netherlands an attractive destination for foreign businesses looking to start or expand their business and establish a presence in Europe The Netherlands is a small yet prosperous country, having the fifth-largest economy in the European Union (EU) in 2023 It has an open and semi-diversified economy with a well-balanced distribution of industries across different sectors While the majority of the Dutch economy is driven by the service sector the Netherlands is at the forefront of several thriving industries almost one million employees worked for a foreign company in the Netherlands so you can expect meetings and appointments to start on time The Netherlands is known for having a healthy work-life balance. In fact, the country ranks third out of 41 countries on the OECD Better Life Index for work-life balance While the standard working week in the Netherlands is 36–40 hours, Eurostat data (2021) shows that average weekly work hours are just 32.2 hours – the shortest working week in the entire EU Self-employed business owners work the longest hours It’s uncommon for full-time employees to regularly work overtime; only 0.3% of Dutch employees work very long hours. This is the lowest rate in the OECD, where the average is 10%. The Dutch tend to value quality leisure time and acknowledge its importance for their overall physical and mental well-being The typical working day in the Netherlands starts between 08:00 and 09:00 and ends around 17:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Friday Many businesses offer flexible working hours so it’s a good idea to check what the typical working hours are with your company While some cultures enjoy long and leisurely lunch breaks it’s common in the Netherlands to take a 30-minute lunch break and many Dutch people will have a simple cheese sandwich at their desks Full-time employees are entitled to a statutory minimum of 20 days of paid holiday leave per year. This is based on a calculation of four times the number of hours worked per week. These statutory days are in addition to national public holidays of which there are normally seven each year it’s common for employees in the Netherlands to have 25 days of holiday per year Dutch public holidays: important dates in 2024 and 2025 Like most countries, hybrid and remote working in the Netherlands has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The country was also one of the first in the world to grant remote working flexibility by law; under the Dutch Flexible Working Act (Wet Flexibel Werken) employers must consider requests for remote working and provide a reason for denying it Businesses in the Netherlands typically have a flat and non-hierarchical structure decision-making is often spread out among different levels of the organization While there is still some level of hierarchy in most businesses there is a greater emphasis on collaboration and teamwork and Dutch employees generally have a high degree of autonomy and independence Dutch work culture is relatively informal, with a focus on openness, honesty, and direct communication. There is a general expectation that everyone’s views and ideas matter, regardless of their position in the company. Employees are encouraged and empowered to have input and question senior-level management as long as it’s done in a respectful manner This flat business structure and consensus-driven leadership style are relatively consistent throughout the Netherlands larger companies and multinationals are more likely to have a more formal culture and traditional hierarchies while smaller businesses may be more flexible and less hierarchical The Dutch have a reputation for being open-minded and tolerant making it easier for employees from different backgrounds to integrate into the workplace The Netherlands also has anti-discrimination policies that promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace In addition, the country scores 84 points out of 100 points on the LGBTQIA+ Equality Index, which measures rights, laws, freedoms, and public attitudes toward the community (2023). The Netherlands also ranks 14th out of 49 European countries on the 2023 Rainbow Map which measures LGBTQIA+ rights and freedoms The Netherlands has made significant strides towards achieving gender equality, thanks in part to various legislation to promote equal treatment and opportunities for women in the workplace. For instance, the Equal Treatment of Men and Women Act (Wet gelijke behandeling van mannen en vrouwen) prohibits discrimination based on gender and women are generally well-represented in corporate sectors This report measures the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions: Women’s participation and representation in the Dutch workplace have seen significant progress, but there are still areas for improvement. According to Eurostat the employment rate for women aged 20–64 was 75.5% which is slightly lower than the rate for men at 84.8% While this indicates a gender gap in employment Women are also still underrepresented in senior management positions particularly in industries such as finance and technology women accounted for only 26% of management positions in the Netherlands Regarding female entrepreneurship, female-owned enterprises in 2022 accounted for 37% of all businesses in the Netherlands, reports the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel – KVK) it does demonstrate a growing presence of women entrepreneurs contributing to the Dutch business landscape In politics, 61 of 150 (41%) seats in the 2021 Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal) are held by women there is still room for gender parity in policymaking in the Netherlands Certain sectors and industries in particular display disparities in female representation. For example, traditionally male-dominated industries (such as IT and engineering) tend to have lower levels of female workers, while sectors like education and healthcare have a higher representation of female workers The gender pay gap in the Netherlands remains relatively high. A 2021 report from the European Commission on gender pay disparity shows that women’s average gross hourly earnings in the Netherlands is 13.5% lower than men’s This is higher than the EU average of 12.7% attitudes towards women in the workplace are progressive and positive everyday sexism and prejudices towards women still exist in some workplaces This can take the form of microaggressions or subtle biases from male counterparts which can lead to lower rates of recruitment and promotion for women The Dutch government faces increasing pressure from the public to take action against sexual harassment in the workplace; on their website, they report that nearly half (45%) of all women in the Netherlands have been victims of sexual violence at some point in their lives If you experience unequal treatment or pay at work, you should speak with your employer as soon as possible. You can also file a complaint to the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (College voor de Rechten van de Mens) The Dutch are known for their affinity for organization and planning Having a well-defined business strategy is considered essential for long-term growth and success Dutch work culture typically approaches planning and decision-making with a focus on collaboration businesses seek input from various stakeholders decision-making and planning can be a drawn-out process in which every detail is examined The process typically involves multiple rounds of discussions and feedback before reaching a consensus.  Formal business plans and annual business reviews are also common in the Netherlands Companies often develop detailed business plans that outline their objectives These are reviewed regularly to evaluate performance and align different departments and teams around common goals.  Companies in the Netherlands revolve around meetings and you’ll often find there’s at least one meeting in your office every day As punctuality is highly regarded in the Netherlands It’s also expected that all members of the meeting contribute their ideas and opinions regardless of their position in the company so it’s important to come to meetings prepared Business negotiations are typically collaborative and focused on finding a mutually beneficial solution meetings like these can take several rounds the Dutch tend to be straightforward and transparent during negotiations and they appreciate when their counterparts are the same Networking is a crucial aspect of doing business in the Netherlands. Dutch work culture values meaningful relationships built on trust, and attending networking events is an excellent way to build those connections that lead to successful collaborations with a range of professional groups and events catering to various industries and sectors Some major trade shows and events that take place in the Netherlands include: Many organizations, including the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and workshops to support your business and professional development Some networking groups and business clubs that could be of interest include: The Dutch are generally private people and prefer to keep their work life and personal life separate. Nonetheless, your colleagues may invite you to social events outside the office. Business dinners are common in the Netherlands, and most business entertaining takes place in restaurants; it’s relatively rare in Dutch culture to be invited to someone’s home unless you know them very well you’ll usually engage in small talk rather than anything business-related Good topics to talk about are your home country or city such as team-building activities or company outings (bedrijfsuitjes) are also considered important in Dutch work culture Most companies will arrange a company outing at least once a year to help colleagues bond while improving communication and teamwork skills The communication style in Dutch business culture is professional yet approachable The typical business greeting is a firm handshake while maintaining eye contact If you’re meeting someone for the first time it’s common to introduce yourself with your first and last name When there’s a notable difference in age or rank Dutch people will often use the formal u (you) While the Dutch are known to be open and straight-talking in their communication style Personal space is more important in the Netherlands than in most southern European countries and it’s considered impolite to stand too close to someone or touch them unnecessarily Common conversation topics include culture while it’s best to avoid sensitive topics such as politics The clothing style in the Netherlands is rather informal While some companies may require formal or semi-formal wear many companies allow employees to dress in casual or smart casual attire A traditional suit and tie is more common in financial or legal industries it’s perfectly acceptable to ask someone in the Human Resources (HR) department Gift-giving is not a common aspect of business relationships in Dutch culture – unless a baby is born If you’d like to give a gift to a colleague or business partner It’s also best to wait until you’ve established a relationship and finalized any business negotiations it’s customary to open the gift immediately to show your appreciation If you’re invited to the home of a Dutch colleague, it’s polite to bring the host a small gift such as flowers or a bottle of wine (but only if they drink alcohol) Business cards (kaartjes) are usually exchanged near the end or after a business conversation or meeting Some may also include contact information such as private phone numbers and addresses that this isn’t an invitation to phone them outside of office hours The Dutch social security system is one of the most comprehensive in Europe Everyone who is employed in the Netherlands contributes to national insurance schemes that cover the following: If you are self-employed, however, you are not insured against unemployment and do not receive sickness benefits and disability benefits. The website of the Dutch government provides more information on the benefits available to self-employed people in the Netherlands Health insurance in the Netherlands is implemented by private health insurance companies Under the Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet – ZVW) everyone living or working in the country is legally required to take out a health insurance plan (basisverzekering) with a health insurer Most businesses in the Netherlands are dedicated to social responsibility and giving back to the community Corporate social responsibility is a key part of Dutch work culture with companies placing a strong emphasis on sustainability The Dutch government has agreements with various business sectors and with societal organizations on International Corporate Social Responsibility (ICSR) larger companies in particular are expected to implement an ICSR policy to ensure they act in an internationally responsible manner This can include initiatives to improve the environment ethical business practices are becoming increasingly popular in the Netherlands with many businesses focusing on fair trade According to the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) report Ethics at Work 2021: International Survey of Employees 75% of Dutch employees say that their organization acts responsibly in all its business dealings and 71% say that it lives up to its stated policy of social responsibility The Netherlands has a reputation for honesty and ranks as one of the least corrupt countries in the world Corruption and bribery are also illegal under Dutch law In Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2022 the leading global indicator of corruption in the public sector the Netherlands ranks eighth out of 180 countries 0 being highly corrupt and 100 being very clean You can report any suspected incidents of corruption or fraud to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland – RVO), the police, or the Dutch fraud office (Fiscale inlichtingen en opsporingsdienst – FIOD). Growing up in South Korea and the UK, Rebecca developed an early interest in cultures and languages. After spending a year in Portugal, she went on a seven-month solo backpacking trip around Brazil, which remains one of her travel highlights. Currently based in the Netherlands, she is a freelance copywriter and loves working with brands to create inspiring and meaningful content. Confused by the primary school system in the Netherlands? We explain how it works, from educational approaches to international options. You can claim different types of child benefits in the Netherlands, to help with the costs of child-rearing, schooling, and childcare. The Netherlands is home to some of the world's top universities. Learn all about the different subjects available at Dutch institutions. which will replace the stamping of passports with digital-only checks will start operating in the second half of 2024 EU ministers agreed on Thursday at the EU home affairs council meeting in Luxembourg many non-EU citizens will have to apply to the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and pay a €7 fee for short stays in the Schengen area the Entry/Exit System (EES) will record the data of non-EU citizens arriving and leaving the Schengen free-movement area facial images and the date and place of arrival and departure) will be held in a database for three years which will automatically renew at each entry The EES will be enforced in EU countries except Bulgaria EES kiosks will be installed at maritime and air border crossing points An information campaign will be launched in advance The EES was due for launch in May 2023 after several delays but it was postponed again at the beginning of the year because of IT problems The new timeline does not specify the month of entry into operation The ETIAS will require non-EU citizens who do not need a visa for short stays in Schengen countries to apply for a travel authorisation before departure but the ETIAS will be free for visitors under 18 or over 70 or family members of EU citizens or of nationals of Iceland EU citizens and non-EU citizens who are resident in Schengen countries will be exempted from such checks The ETIAS will only concern visitors from countries or territorial authorities that do not need a visa to enter the EU The systems were set up for security purposes and the EES will automatically verify that non-EU visitors stay in the Schengen areas for the limit of 90-day in any 180-day period Personal data will also be cross-checked with other EU databases border crossings would be made easier for frequent pre-vetted non-EU travellers,” a European parliament document says On Wednesday the European Parliament also approved a new law to digitalise visas for the Schengen area which aims to increase security and replace current stickers on passports Non-EU citizens who need a visa for short stays in Schengen countries will be able to apply on a single online platform that will address the request to the authorities of the country or the countries they intend to visit Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.