Electronic reporting (ERI)

Introduction

Since 1^st January 2010, the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR) has gradually introduced electronic reporting requirements on the Rhine for vessels or convoys carrying containers. At its spring plenary session 2017, the CCNR decided to extend the electronic reporting requirement to vessels with fixed tanks aboard, with effect from 1st December 2018.

The extension of the electronic reporting requirement to the vessels referred to in article 12.01(1)(a) and (d) to (h) of the Rhine Police Regulations (RPR) was approved by the Central Commission at its autumn plenary session 2019 and will come into force with effect from 1^st December 2021.

The electronic reporting requirement provided for in article 12.01 of the RPR, which can be processed today via radiotelephony, in writing or electronically, must be carried out electronically with effect from 1^st December 2021. The electronic reporting requirement, which previously only applied to convoys and vessels carrying containers on board, will be extended to the types of vessel indicated below.

• Vessels carrying goods covered by the ADN under article 12.01(1)(a) of the RPR;
• Vessels of a length exceeding 110m under article 12.01(1)(d) of the RPR;
• Cabin vessels under article 12.01(1)(e) of the RPR;
• Seagoing vessels under article 12.01(1)(f) of the RPR;
• Vessels with an LNG system aboard under article 12.01(1)(g) of the RPR;
• Special transport operations as construed by article 1.21 under article 12.01(1)(h) of the RPR.

Electronic reporting facilitates data interchange between vessels and sector traffic centres compared with reporting by radio telephony or in writing. Electronic reporting is integral to River Information Services (RIS) and facilitates:

• strategic traffic-related information,
• traffic management,
• the prevention of accidents,
• statistics,
• the implementation of requirements.

They also reduce the administrative workload for boatmasters and inland waterway managers. As such, this is a measure that is helping to modernise inland navigation and promote the use of new technologies. It is very much part of the CCNR’s RIS strategy.

Reference documents

Press

Press releases

Extension of the electronic reporting requirement (2020-2021) to all vessels and special transport operations referred to in article 12.01(1) of the RPR

Extension of the electronic reporting requirement to vessels with fixed tanks aboard (2017-2018)

BICSmail

BICSmail is published by Bureau Telematica Binnenvaart at the request of the Rijkswaterstaat.

Extension of the electronic reporting requirement (2020-2021) to all vessels and special transport operations referred to in article 12.01(1) of the RPR

Extension of the electronic reporting requirement to vessels with fixed tanks aboard (2017-2018)

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Only available in [FR] [DE] [NL]

Useful links

Autena - Supplier of the “ContainerPlanner” software

Autena is the supplier of the “ContainerPlanner” software, designed for the carriage of containers aboard inland navigation vessels. This software has been developed with real-world practice in mind and enables the boatmaster to create a loading plan in just a few clicks of the mouse. The software can also calculate the vessel’s stability as a function of the loading plan, provides information on the carriage of dangerous goods, and calculates the number of blue cones required by the ADN. ContainerPlanner creates an electronic message which is fully compliant with the EDIFACT standard for electronic reporting on inland waterways.

BICS - Dutch Inland Shipping Information and Communication System

This website is provided for users of BICS and other parties that are involved in the process of electronic reporting in inland shipping. Skippers, (inland shipping) companies, waterway managers, developers of RIS technology and other interested parties can find comprehensive information about the BICS Inland Shipping Information and Communication System (BICS stands for „Binnenvaart Informatie en Communicatie Systeem“) and the associated applications and standards on this site.

ELWIS - German Electronic Waterway Information Service

ELWIS is the conduit for publishing all the relevant German waterways information. This information is intended to increase waterway safety and facilitate journey planning. What sets the publication of information in ELWIS apart is that all the relevant information is provided centrally in this one location. All the information published on ELWIS is regularly quality assured to ensure that all content is correct, up-to-date and complete. The subscription information service ELWIS Abo is also available on ELWIS. Users can avail themselves of the service to subscribe to specific ELWIS information, which they can then receive automatically by e-mail as they choose. All the information published on ELWIS and ELWIS Abo is provided free of charge by the Federal German Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV).

e-RIS - River information service for the Upper Rhine

e-RIS is a river information portal covering the Upper Rhine between Basel and Lauterbourg. This multilingual portal (in French, German, Dutch and English) provides traffic information (comprising the number of vessels in each stretch and the estimated waiting time at each lock), water levels, clear heights, unavailability of lock basins, notices to skippers. Structural characteristics are also available: locks, bridges, docks, mooring places… (contact details, dimensions, restrictions or available services). All this information is displayed in tables, but also on an interactive map. The estimated docking time of each identified vessel is calculated and shared with eligible persons (in accordance with the terms of the GDPR).

Notices to skippers

Photo library

Extension of the electronic reporting requirement (2020-2021) to all vessels and special transport operations referred to in article 12.01(1) of the RPR

Extension of the electronic reporting requirement to vessels with fixed tanks aboard (2017-2018)