Jan Fransen, Executive Director Green Award; Robert Tieman, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management; and Sven Westerink, Director Bataviahaven © Green Award Foundation, 2025
Rotterdam, 1 December 2025 – The Green Award Foundation is taking a new step in strengthening a safe and sustainable river cruise sector. For the first time, a river cruise terminal has been certified: Bataviahaven in Lelystad. Minister Tieman presented the certificate to Sven Westerink, director of Bataviahaven.
This moment officially marks the introduction of the new certification program for river cruise terminals by Green Award. Since 1994, the organization has been an independent force in promoting sustainability in the maritime sector and is now expanding its efforts from the water to the shore.
Minister Tieman: “Since 2011, Green Award has already certified 1,500 inland navigation vessels, and with this first certificate for terminals, it has taken an important next step in making the inland shipping chain even more sustainable and safer. From the government’s perspective, we welcome these initiatives that are embraced by the sector itself.”
Jan Fransen, Executive Director Green Award: “With the introduction of our program for river cruise terminals, Green Award is now active ‘in land and at sea’ for, among other things, cleaner air. This new program supports terminals in further sustainability efforts and in strengthening safety. In this way, we make the entire chain stronger. Bataviahaven deserves a compliment for the pioneering role it is taking.”
Sven Westerink, Directeur Bataviahaven: “We see the Green Award certificate as recognition of the steps we have already taken and as an incentive to continue moving forward. The river cruise sector is growing rapidly, and as a terminal you must be ready with safe, professional, and sustainable facilities. With this certificate, we show that Bataviahaven embraces that responsibility.”
Teams from Green Award and Bataviahaven Lelystad with Robert Tieman, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management © Green Award Foundation, 2025
As a co-signatory of the Green Deal for Maritime Shipping, Inland Shipping, and Ports, Green Award actively works to reduce emissions and to improve quality and safety in shipping. What began in 1994 with a program for maritime shipping was expanded in 2011 with a set of requirements for inland navigation, and in 2023 with a specific program for river cruise vessels. This paved the way for a logical next step: a certification program for onshore infrastructure.
The growth of the river cruise sector is creating higher expectations in the areas of safety, environment, services, and quality. Terminals play a key role in this. With its own set of requirements, Green Award now offers river cruise terminals a clear and practical framework to further professionalize and make their operations more sustainable. By obtaining the certificate, Bataviahaven demonstrates that it meets these requirements and has the ambition to take the lead within the sector.
With the introduction of the certification program for river cruise terminals, Green Award emphasizes that making the sector more sustainable requires efforts both on and along the water. By supporting terminals, ports, and companies in taking concrete next steps, the organization contributes to a future-proof and safe sector that aligns with regional, national, and European ambitions.
