LONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) – The Dutch Inspectorate of Human Atmosphere and Transport (ILT), which final yr imposed tighter controls on the standard of gas exported from the Netherlands, stated on Tuesday the foundations had been working and compliance was excessive.

“We word that the Netherlands is now not exporting unhealthy gas to West Africa,” ILT’s Marietta Harjono stated in a press release.

In mid-August final yr, the ILT below the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Administration launched a coverage rule to strengthen high quality management of gas exports from Dutch ports.

The brand new necessities embody a restrict of fifty ppm sulfur per liter, 1 % benzene and a pair of milligrams of manganese.

The brand new guidelines successfully get rid of most gasoline exports to West Africa, which has sulfur content material specs 3 times greater than the utmost at the moment allowed within the Netherlands.

Monitoring information from analytics agency Vortexa reveals the Netherlands’ share of northwest Europe’s exports to West Africa fell to fifteen% in October from round 47% within the first quarter, whereas Belgium’s share rose to 65% from 34% within the first quarter. %final month.

“Corporations working within the Netherlands have been complying with the coverage guidelines for the reason that finish of Could 2023,” Harjono stated.

The ILT stated failure to conform may end in fines and, in additional excessive instances, a prosecutor might be notified.

Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Belgium was engaged on a royal decree to tighten gas export specs to convey them according to the Netherlands.

“Given the dimensions of exports from the Port of Antwerp and the diversion of gasoline exports from the Netherlands to Belgium, the introduction of comparable laws in Belgium would considerably contribute to a stage enjoying subject (in Europe) and enhance gas high quality,” ILT stated.

Our requirements: Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.