CCNR - Round table discussion 05 2007

The purpose of the Round Table was to determine the conditions for introducing low-sulphur fuel that are compatible with the development of inland waterway transport in Europe. The positions of the stakeholders were clarified and the proposal of the European Commission for the amendments for the respective fuel directives was discussed, unresolved issues were identified and addressed, the need for further analysis and studies was defined, and the diverging points of view of the parties involved were reconciled.

The Round Table covered technical aspects, such as the compatibility of engines, both new and currently in use, with low-sulphur fuel (safe operation), the operational and logistics aspects of shifting from one type of fuel to another, including making low-sulphur fuel available throughout Europe, and economic aspects, such as costs incurred by the inland waterways transport profession.

The participants of the Round Table were representatives of the European Commission, professionals in inland waterway transport, from the engine manufacturers, the oil industry, the ship-building industry, bunker services, classification societies, and the competent national authorities in the CCNR’s Member States and Observer States.

The program of the Round Table and presentations of participants can be found below.

Presentations

	Program	En	Fr	De	Nl


Welcome
	Ambassador Paul Seger, President of the CCNR		Fr	De


Introduction
	Ivo ten Broeke, Commissioner for Rhine Navigation of the Netherlands				Nl


Proposal of the European Commission for the amendment of EC fuel directives regarding fuel for inland navigation
	Ian Hodgson, Unit clean air and transport; GD Environment; European Commission	En


Requirements for the introduction of low-sulphur fuel that is compatible with the future development of European inland navigation
	Rinus de Korte, President of the European Barge Union (EBU)				Nl


Quality requirements for low-sulphur fuel; compatibility of engines, both new and currently in use, with low-sulphur fuel
	Peter Scherm, Secretary General of Euromot	En


Costs, availability and quality aspects of low-sulphur fuel for inland navigation
	Martin Suenson, Europia	En


Ultra low sulphur diesel, lubricity and Engine damages
	van der Zanden, CBRB	En


Fuel in the cost structure of inland navigation
	Jean-Paul Weber, Secretariat of the CCNR			De


Logistical aspects and costs for the shift to low sulphur-fuel
	Erik de Vries, Union of European Petroleum Independents (UPEI)	En
	Jürgen Johann, European Barge Union (EBU)			De


Statements of other industry and trade associations, of the delegations of the CCNR, of the observer countries and the intergovernmental organisations
	Winfried Kliche, Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Bau und Stadtentwicklung			De
	Bert de Vries, Community of European Shipyards’ Associations	En
	Martin Koopmans, Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat	En


Summary and Conclusions
		En


Strasbourg, Palais du Rhin, 3 May 2007


			Introduction
			Presentations

Introduction

The purpose of the Round Table was to determine the conditions for introducing low-sulphur fuel that are compatible with the development of inland waterway transport in Europe. The positions of the stakeholders were clarified and the proposal of the European Commission for the amendments for the respective fuel directives was discussed, unresolved issues were identified and addressed, the need for further analysis and studies was defined, and the diverging points of view of the parties involved were reconciled. The Round Table covered technical aspects, such as the compatibility of engines, both new and currently in use, with low-sulphur fuel (safe operation), the operational and logistics aspects of shifting from one type of fuel to another, including making low-sulphur fuel available throughout Europe, and economic aspects, such as costs incurred by the inland waterways transport profession. The participants of the Round Table were representatives of the European Commission, professionals in inland waterway transport, from the engine manufacturers, the oil industry, the ship-building industry, bunker services, classification societies, and the competent national authorities in the CCNR’s Member States and Observer States. The program of the Round Table and presentations of participants can be found below.