DNV Finishes Risk Study for Dutch Inland Waterways

The Dutch have a long history of river transport with large rivers such as the Rijn, Maas and Schelde traversing the country. These waterways are used to carry a wide diversity of goods including dangerous substances within the Netherlands and to and from Germany and Belgium. Although accidents are rare, the consequences of ship collisions could be great and DNV has been involved ever since the first initiatives were taken to monitor risks. Their earlier work on the development of a nautical Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) and a methodology to assess ship collisions based on the impact energy is now to be formalized into a Dutch guideline called Risk Analysis Sea and River Transport.

"The safe transport of dangerous goods is one of the main issues for the Dutch government, given its economical importance and the potential effects it can have on population and environment. The risk assessment methodologies developed by DNV allow authorities not only to monitor the risks accompanying the transport of dangerous goods on waterways, but also to assess the impact that certain legislators changes may have on these risks. The current project allows DNV to share its long running experience with risk management in general and nautical QRAs in particular," said Torgeir Sterri, Regional Manager DNV BeNeLux, Germany and Central Europe.

This latest phase of the project, originally commenced in 2000, will check for any outstanding issues and, following a theoretical study, the updated methodology will be evaluated in practice by quantifying the risks related to the transport of dangerous goods on the Westerschelde. The methodology is expected to be officially implemented by the Dutch government by the end of 2011.

“DNV strives to help organizations such as Verkeer en Waterstaat enhances risk management practices, recognizing the ever-changing nature of shipping and business,” said Mr Sterri. “Our knowledge and ingenuity are constantly put to work to help our industry partners protect people, property and the environment.”