In a significant step for the European transportation network, the Council and the Parliament have reached a political agreement to revise the 2005 directive on the Union’s river information services (RIS).
Brussels witnessed a groundbreaking move in the European Union‘s legislation on Thursday, 26 June. The bloc’s lawmakers set aside political differences and institutional rivalry alike to hammer out a deal designed to improve the fashion in which information is exchanged between various authorities, inland water transport operators, and skippers.
Harmonise, integrate
Dariusz Klimczak, Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure, emphasised the importance of this update, stating, “Inland waterways are an essential part of the EU’s transport network.” The proposed changes promise to enhance both efficiency and safety in Europe’s waterborne transport system.
The updated directive seeks a more harmonised approach to the exchange of various types of data—everything from geographical and hydrological information to administrative details relevant for navigation. This includes crucial instructions for accidents, customs services, waterway charges, and port dues pertinent to those engaging with cross-border inland waterways. This comprehensive data flow aims to facilitate better coordination among countries that share significant waterways, such as canals, rivers, and lakes.
The new agreement pursues three primary aspirations: harmonising standards for RIS, integrating inland water transport into a multimodal transport framework, and promoting the adoption of digital tools. This initiative intends to ensure interoperability while upholding data protection standards. In practical terms, the legislators seek to establish a single digital platform that will significantly improve operational efficiency for inland water transport. Information will now be shared not only with transport users but also with other transport modes, allowing for seamless harmonisation across various systems—maritime transport included.
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The waterway ahead
The implications of these updates are far-reaching. By integrating digital technologies, stakeholders can expect enhanced efficiency and safety in operations. Moreover, a feedback mechanism will be introduced to help continuously refine the requirements surrounding privacy, security, and the reuse of information. It appears that the EU is keen on harnessing technology to create a more efficient transport landscape. However, the devil will be in the implementation details, as he is prone to be.
Inland waterways are an essential part of the EU’s transport network. Dariusz Klimczak, Polish infrastructure minister
While the provisional agreement outlines ambitious goals, the road—or waterway—ahead requires further endorsement from member states and the European Parliament before formal adoption. Such procedural steps are necessary to ensure that legal-linguistic revisions align with the intended outcomes.
The backdrop to this agreement reflects a profound reliance on inland waterways, with 13 EU member states connected via roughly 13,000 km of rivers and canals. The existing 2005 directive aimed to establish a robust framework for RIS deployment and harmonisation. However, following a Commission evaluation in 2021, it became clear that significant obstacles hindered effective implementation. The proposed revisions are part of the Commission’s regulatory fitness and performance programme (REFIT), aiming to rectify these deficiencies.
Implementation challenges
While the new directive for river information services marks a notable advance towards a more integrated and efficient European transport network, the successful implementation of these reforms will determine their true impact. The ambition is commendable, yet history has shown that translating policy intentions into effective outcomes often poses considerable challenges.
EU member states are charged with establishing River Information Service (RIS) centers and designating authorities responsible for overseeing the application and exchange of international data. These national implementation efforts are essential for the effective functioning of the newly updated directive.
RIS offers a range of key services and functions that enhance the management of inland water transport. One of its primary roles is traffic and transport management, providing real-time information on vessel positions, traffic conditions, and the status of waterway infrastructure. This capability enables efficient traffic management and voyage planning. Additionally, RIS supplies fairway information, encompassing geographical, hydrological, and administrative details about waterways. This includes navigational warnings, charts, and the current status of various infrastructures, all crucial for safe navigation.
Safety first
Safety is a pivotal concern for RIS, as it also provides calamity abatement support through various tools and information to aid emergency response and accident management. Furthermore, RIS facilitates the exchange of information for transport management, ensuring seamless multimodal logistics operations by connecting different transport modes. The integration extends to electronic reporting as well, allowing for the e-submission of voyage data and cargo information, including specifics about dangerous goods, to relevant authorities.
Increased safety is a major benefit of RIS. By providing real-time data and traffic management tools, it significantly reduces the risk of accidents and incidents on waterways. The enhanced efficiency of vessel movements is another advantage, as RIS optimally manages these movements, cuts down waiting times at locks and ports, and streamlines logistics operations overall.
Moreover, RIS contributes to environmental sustainability by promoting more efficient transport methods. This optimisation can lead to reduced emissions and lower fuel consumption, making inland waterways an environmentally friendly alternative to road and rail transport. Ultimately, the integration of RIS with multimodal transport chains creates a more efficient and sustainable logistics solution, capitalising on the strengths of various transport modes.
