Overview
TheDirectorate-General for Civil Aviation and Maritime Affairs (DGLM) contributes to keeping the Netherlands connected to the rest of the world and, consequently, to a vital economy by ensuring the sustainable development of mainports, aviation and shipping.
To support the policy-making process, DGLM needs a solid knowledge base. This is achieved by setting up research programmes that are carried out by KiM (Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis)and by independent subcontractors.
Because of the level of applicability of the research results asked for, there are specific longer-term research programmes on transport matters. Nevertheless, policy objectives remain more or less the same throughout a longer period of time and specific research projects with a longer life span are part of the programme. Another part of the programme is reserved for short-term questions, often related to the political opportunities of the day.
The organisation cooperates with public and private parties such as the National Aerospace Laboratory and SchipholAirport.
Since 2010 the “Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management” including DGLM was integrated into the new Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment.
The principal aims of the DGLM are:
- to promote the safety of air traffic and transport;
- to strike a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of air traffic;
- to improve market conditions of Dutch seaports and to maintain and (where necessary) improve the accessibility of seaports;
- to make shortsea transport easier and more attractive,
- shipping policy is focused on three areas: safety, the economy and the environment.
DGLM’s areas of focus over the next few years will include the development of Schiphol, the reorganisation of airspace, the construction of the Maasvlakte 2 (for the port of Rotterdam) and the further development of sound international connections for mainports, specifically waterways and inland ports.
The research programme of DGLM is organised along the lines of the policy objectives. Budget is allocated among the different policy sectors of the directorate and then prioritised. Next to the programme, a number of research institutions are subsidised, among which is the Nationaal Lucht- en Ruimtevaartlaboratorium (National Aerospace Laboratory).