Focus on speed limits around the Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam

(Posted on 30/01/25)

In 2024, the number of visits by incoming sea-going vessels in the port of Rotterdam fell slightly: from 27,886 to 27,617. However, the number of visiting inland vessels increased: from 89,183 to 91,356.

The number of collisions decreased from 157 to 148. Around 145 of those were minor accidents. However, three more serious accidents occurred, where a total of two people lost their lives. One person passed away after a fall caused by a loose hawser. The other victim lost their life when a scaffolding collapsed following a collision. The three grave accidents caused the Nautical Safety Index – the index that measures the level of safety – to drop from 7.5 to 6.1.

As a result, it is with mixed feelings that (State) Harbour Master René de Vries looks back on a year that was safe in general. ‘Those three serious accidents, as well as incidents involving passenger and recreational ships continue to demand our attention,’ says De Vries. It is the responsibility of the Harbour Master that the processing of shipping in the port of Rotterdam is done safely and smoothly.

The collision in November 2024 between a water taxi and water bus – both means of public transport typical for the city of Rotterdam – once again emphasised the need for increased safety measures on the Nieuwe Maas in the area around the Erasmusbrug. ‘The area around the Erasmusbrug is one of the busiest nautical traffic areas on the Nieuwe Maas,’ says René de Vries.

‘For some time now, we have been advocating for concrete, additional measures to influence sailing behaviour in both recreational and passenger ships. One of these measures is a 20 km/h speed limit for all vessels around the Erasmusbrug.

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management will incorporate this measure, which was proposed by the Harbour Master, into legislation. This speed limit is expected to come into effect sometime in 2025. Other measures proposed by the Harbour Master include the imposition of a ban on crossing traffic in a zone around the Erasmusbrug, a starboard-side quay requirement and the endorsement of slow lanes, particularly for recreational ships. Discussions are still ongoing among the parties involved.

Inland vessels collided with the Willemsbrug twice in 2024. Both accidents involved an error of judgement on the part of the skipper. Although these incidents are merely considered minor accidents due to the limited extent of the damage and the fact that no injuries occurred, these types of collisions nevertheless receive a great deal of public attention, mainly because they occur in a densely populated urban area. Collisions involving bridges involve a certain level of risk, as long-term closures and damage to people, the environment and infrastructure can be severe. So far, the extent of damage has been quite limited, but that does not mean the risk isn’t still there.

Harbour Master René de Vries: ‘If we look at the incidents at hand, we see that the problem is not a question of whether the information may or may not have been correct – the nature of problem is different altogether. The information that was available is correct, and therefore was not the problem. This raises the question of whether skippers need more help and they themselves can also take additional measures.’