Amsterdam to require private vessels to operate emissions free on canals
The zero-emission zone applies to pleasure boats. These are vessels used for non-commercial recreation (so not sailing houseboats). From 1 April 2025, only vessels with electric, hydrogen or manual propulsion will be allowed to enter the zone. Hybrid boats are welcome, as long as they are running with zero emissions. The regulation is not completely final yet, as an objection is possible by “an interested party within 6 weeks of the announcement.”
The entire central area of Amsterdam will fall under the zero-emission zone, including the Singelgracht. The volume of traffic here is quite high. According to a city strategy paper, around 14,000 pleasure craft regularly sail there. In addition, there are 600 passenger ships (500 of which are already electrically powered) and 10,500 ships moored in public waters.
As the initiators explain, the zone will be regulated through the use of vehicle vignettes. These will take effect from April, as mentioned above: “Do you already have a vignette from before 1 April 2025? Then you may continue for a while,” as the city writes in the announcement.
In 2023, Amsterdam announced a ban on combustion vehicles for 2025, to allow only zero-emission taxis, vans, trucks, scooters, and mopeds to run in large parts of the city.
0 Comments