The transport of hazardous substances in the Netherlands is under increasing pressure due to climate change and the ongoing energy transition, according to the latest report from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). The study, commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, outlines critical risks and uncertainties facing road, rail, inland waterways, and pipeline infrastructure.
This shift in the industrial and regulatory landscape holds direct implications for professionals across the chemical value chain, particularly in areas of transport logistics, infrastructure development, and regulatory compliance.
Infrastructure under climate pressure
RIVM’s report identifies intensifying weather extremes as a major concern for transport safety. Record heat, flooding, and drought already threaten the structural integrity of roads, railway lines, and inland shipping routes. For example, extreme heat increases the risk of rail track buckling, while fluctuating groundwater levels due to alternating wet and dry spells threaten track and pipeline stability.
Vessels on inland waterways such as the Rhine are particularly vulnerable to low water levels, which may reduce cargo capacity and increase collision risk. Likewise, drought-related declines in water levels may shift hazardous cargo from water to land-based transport, increasing exposure in densely populated areas.
Energy transition adds complexity
The energy transition is introducing new substances into the transport chain, such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and other hydrogen carriers. These substances carry different risk profiles than traditional fossil fuels. Hydrogen’s explosiveness and ammonia’s toxicity, for instance, present distinct emergency response challenges.
Yet uncertainty persists over which fuels will dominate, how much will be needed, and through which modalities and routes they will travel. While hydrogen pipelines are being planned under the National Hydrogen Network, alternatives like rail and inland shipping may carry significant volumes during the transition. The lack of clarity on long-term transport needs is delaying necessary investment in supporting infrastructure.
Demographic and political drivers elevate risk exposure
Population growth and housing pressures are pushing new developments closer to key transport corridors. Urban densification near rail lines increases the number of people potentially affected by a chemical incident. Politically, there is also heightened sensitivity to the perceived risks of hazardous substance transport, particularly in regions lacking prior exposure.
Meanwhile, geopolitical instability raises concerns about digital sabotage and dependencies on foreign suppliers for critical substances. These external shocks further complicate investment and policy planning.
