Dutch maritime bill would not automatically extend enforcement powers to Sint Maarten

A Dutch legislative proposal submitted to the House of Representatives on Friday 9 October would expand powers to investigate, board, inspect and detain suspicious vessels in the Netherlands. The Dutch government's explanatory memorandum for Parliamentary Bill 37 038 says those powers would not automatically apply in Sint Maarten, Aruba or Curaçao, which are responsible for legislation in their own jurisdictions.

The bill would amend the Dutch Foreign Ships Act and related laws to address vessels operating without legitimate nationality or using fraudulent registration documents. According to the explanatory memorandum, it is part of efforts against Russia's shadow fleet, which the Dutch government says is used to transport sanctioned oil and other goods while avoiding international restrictions.

Under the proposal, Dutch authorities could direct ships to designated ports for inspection and restrict access to Dutch ports and certain territorial waters. The maximum prison sentence for unlawfully operating under the Kingdom's flag would increase from one year to four years.

The memorandum says about 70 vessels have been identified as operating under the Kingdom's flag without registration in the Netherlands or Curaçao. It also identifies vessels claiming Aruban registration, although Aruba does not maintain a flag register that would authorise those registrations.

The parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure and Water Management set Wednesday 4 November as the deadline for written submissions. The bill remains under consideration and would require further approval before it could take effect.