Maintenance of cruise ships can return to Rotterdam

The court in The Hague has ruled in favour of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd. (RCCL) in its objection to a fine imposed in 2014 for work on the cruise ship Oasis of the Seas. The judge’s interpretation of the regulations for the use of riding crews removed a major obstacle for cruise companies to have maintenance carried out in Rotterdam.

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Excellent news for yards

Bas Ort, chairman of Netherlands Maritime Techonology, says that the decision is excellent news for the yards involved in maintenance and repairs and the many suppliers in the sector. “I now urge the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Wouter Koolmees and the relevant Inspector General to accept this judgment and not to cause any further obstructions by appealing. The clients have the clarity they required and Dutch yards and suppliers can now attract business that they clearly need in this current time of crisis.”

Riding crew

The judge concluded that RCCL’s interpretation of the regulations for non-EU members of the riding crew on cruise ships was correct and that they therefore did not need a work permit. The essence of the judgment is that a cruise ship is considered a ‘mode of transport in international traffic’. This is also the case when the vessel is docked temporarily. This means that, according to current regulations, no permit is necessary for non-EU employees residing outside of the Netherlands, employed by a non-Dutch employer and working on a cruise ship. The interpretation of Minister Koolmees and the Inspector General of ISZW was rejected by the court.

Source: Netherlands Maritime Technology