IP/04/719
Brussels, 7 June 2004
Inland waterway transport: Commission boosts
modern information and communication
services The Commission
proposed today new legislation on harmonised Traffic Information Services
(“River Information Services” - RIS) on inland waterways in the
European Union. RIS will contribute to the modernisation of the network and make
inland waterway transport a competitive alternative and a valuable partner in
the intermodal transport chain. Vice-President Loyola de Palacio expects that
the proposal will be supported by the Member States. “River Information
Services can really increase the safety, reliability and efficiency of inland
waterway transport, and thus improve the competitiveness of this cheap,
economical and environmentally friendly transport mode”, she
said.
The newly proposed directive aims at establishing interoperable information
services on long distance routes of the European inland waterway network. This
goal will be achieved by establishing common guidelines and specifications for
the planning and provision of such services. It will allow the user, the
seamless harmonised use of services across borders, such as in the long run
along the 3000 km long Rhine-Main-Danube corridor, from the North Sea to the
Black Sea. The systems developed will be compatible with the maritime systems,
so a seamless service will cover all waterborne traffic in the European
Union.
Based on advanced information and communication technologies, RIS will
include, amongst others, information regarding the navigation conditions of the
waterways, the actual traffic situation in the immediate vicinity of a vessel as
well as strategic traffic information important for planning of voyages,
including lock, port and terminal scheduling. They will also allow for enhanced
cargo and fleet management and the tracking of vessels and shipments. Data such
as the position and heading of the vessel, ship’s name and speed as well
as information related to the cargo will be captured electronically and
processed automatically.
Many economic and environmental benefits are expected from RIS. Vessel
operators will have their navigational operations supported. Shipping companies,
ports and logistics companies will be able to optimise their transport and
logistics processes and to offer the industry high quality services at lower
costs. Through better planning of voyages, waiting times at locks and ports are
likely to be reduced, traffic speeds adapted and fuel consumption optimised.
The concept for RIS was first developed under the EU Research and
Technological Development Programme and is now being gradually implemented on
inland waterways in several Member States. In order to ensure a harmonised and
interoperable deployment of RIS the Commission decided to propose a common legal
framework.
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