13 November 2025New Vessel Traffic Service “Off Texel” has been introduced in the Netherlands.NNPC Correspondents brings us updates below:A new vessel traffic service (VTS) has been introduced on 3 November 2025. The new VTS area enables traffic controllers to actively advise ships 24/7 to take the northern route instead of the southern route in adverse weather conditions, as the latter is closer to the vulnerable Wadden Sea area. The southern route is 20 to 30 km off the coast, but has been found to pose an additional risk of cargo loss in certain wave conditions.A new VTS is not very often introduced. However, the legislation has now been amended, personnel has been trained and equipment has been installed to enable adequate communication with passing vessels. From 3 November 2025, any vessel wishing to enter the “Off Texel VTS area” must report via VHF channel 63.Read more here.4 September 2025Disruptions due to closure of the Juliana Canal.NNPC Correspondents brings us updates below:The Juliana Canal in Limburg will be closed for several months for deepening and widening of the channel, which is expected to cause significant delays to inland shipping and impact the logistical operations of Dutch ports. Inland vessels will need to reroute via the Zeeland Kreekrak Locks, located in the Scheldt-Rhine Canal, one of Europe’s busiest shipping routes. With only one lock chamber currently available for passage, the closure of the Juliana Canal is likely to have a substantial effect.Limited capacity of road transport is unlikely to fully compensate for the loss of waterway capacity, potentially causing delays in the loading and discharging of vessels at Dutch seaports.Last month, authorities confirmed that work on the Juliana Canal would take longer than expected, with completion now estimated for April 2025. We recommend that any shipowners planning to call at Dutch ports for loading or discharging cargo to or from inland ports communicate with their charterers and agents to assess the potential impact on their operations before arrival. This should also be considered when scheduling new voyages to and from Dutch ports.Read more here.28 August 2025Protests lead to blockade of the Ijmuiden locks in Amsterdam.NNPC Correspondents brings us updates below:In the past few weeks, climate demonstrators have blocked the sea locks on four separate occasions, preventing larger vessels from proceeding to the Port of Amsterdam or returning to sea.The method has been the same in each instance: demonstrators gain access to the locks and refuse to leave, with some even chaining themselves to the structure. The demonstrators claim they are drawing attention to the environmental impact of shipping and are specifically seeking a ban on cruise vessels, which they allege have a disproportionate impact on the environment.In each of these incidents, the demonstrators have been removed by the police on the same day, but not without causing significant disruption to operations and maritime traffic. Similar actions have been taken by demonstrators against coal-carrying vessels, with repeated blockages of locks on the Rhine, resulting in significant backlogs of vessels in inland waterways.Based on the public statements of the climate activists, these protests are likely to continue, with further delays and obstructions expected. While the direct impact has so far been limited to a single day per incident, the knock-on effects on operations have been significant. It is also likely that demonstrators will attempt to intensify their efforts as part of the protests announced in the Netherlands for the coming months.Shipowners and operators are advised to liaise closely with their agents prior to arrival to stay informed about any planned demonstrations.Read more here.