Published on 6 January 2025

European inland navigation

The Rhine is a central trade route in Europe and one of its most important waterways for the transport of goods. Basel serves as Switzerland's key trading gateway to the world and as a hub on the north-south axis from Rotterdam to Genoa. The port areas of Basel-Kleinhüningen, Birsfelden and Muttenz handle over 6 million tonnes of goods and more than 120,000 containers annually. This corresponds to around 10% of all Swiss imports.

A ship loaded with containers on the Rhine. — © Alexandros Koltsidas (SMNO)

The Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) was founded in 1815 to ensure strong European inland navigation and to promote international cooperation between the Rhine riparian states. Switzerland has been a member of the CCNR since the early 20th century. This membership enables Switzerland to participate on an equal footing in the development of European regulations for Rhine navigation. The Swiss Maritime Navigation Office (SMNO) forms the Swiss delegation to the CCNR together with the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), the Port of Switzerland and representatives of inland navigation industry representatives. The delegation also represents Switzerland's interests in the European Committee for Drawing Up Standards in the Field of Inland Navigation (CESNI) and the Convention on the Collection, Deposit and Reception of Waste Generated during Navigation on the Rhine and Other Inland Waterways (CDNI). The SMNO thus fulfils political tasks and represents Switzerland's interests in the field of inland navigation at European level.

• Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR)

  The CCNR is an international organisation based in Strasbourg that deals with navigation on the Rhine and its tributaries. It was founded in 1815, making it one of the oldest, if not the oldest still existing international organisation in the world. Its main tasks are to safeguard freedom of navigation and equal treatment on the Rhine and its tributaries and to issue uniform technical and legal regulations. The CCNR plays a pioneering role in the areas of safety, the promotion of environmentally friendly inland navigation and automation. The CCNR consists of five member states: Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The member states meet regularly at plenary sessions and committee meetings. Its decisions must be taken unanimously, with each member state having a right of veto.

  Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR)

• European Committee for Drawing Up Standards in the Field of Inland Navigation (CESNI)

  CESNI was established in 2015 within the framework of the CCNR in cooperation with the European Union. Its mission is to develop uniform technical standards for European inland navigation and to simplify legislative processes. CESNI members comprise CCNR and EU member states. The committee focuses on the following areas:

  • Technical regulations for ships: construction, equipment and operation of inland waterway vessels.
  • Professional qualifications: training and qualification of crew members.
  • Information technology: electronic navigation and information systems.

  European Committee for Drawing Up Standards in the Field of Inland Navigation (CESNI)

• Convention on the Collection, Deposit and Reception of Waste Generated during Navigation on the Rhine and Other Inland Waterways (CDNI)

  The CDNI regulates the environmentally responsible management of waste in Rhine navigation, thereby protecting the environment and water quality of the Rhine, as well as safeguarding the health and safety of inland waterway personnel and residents along the river. It came into force on 1 November 2009 and the contracting parties to the CDNI are the CCNR member states and Luxembourg. The CDNI regulates the following types of waste:

  • Oily ship-generated waste: collection and disposal of oily waste such as bilge water and waste oil.
  • Other ship-generated waste: treatment and disposal of solid and liquid waste, including household waste and wastewater.
  • Cargo residues and washing water: avoidance and proper disposal of residues and waste when unloading ships.

  Convention on the collection, deposit and reception of waste produced during navigation on the Rhine and Inland waterways (CDNI)

• Inland navigation radio

  Individuals operating radio equipment on vessels navigating the Rhine and other inland waterways in Europe must hold a Ship Station Licence, as stipulated by the Regional Arrangement on the Radiocommunication Service for Inland Waterways established in Bucharest in April 2012. For questions concerning inland navigation radio, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) can be contacted.

  OFCOM (German, French, Italian)

• Port of Switzerland

  Port of Switzerland was established through the merger of the Rhine Ports of Basel-Landschaft and the Rhine Navigation Directorate of Basel-Stadt. Operating as a public law institution, Port of Switzerland is jointly owned by the cantons of Basel-Landschaft and Basel-Stadt. Port of Switzerland is responsible for patents and inspections, ship personnel, ship registration and traffic monitoring, among other things. It is represented in the Swiss delegation to the CCNR.

  Port of Switzerland

• Federal Office of Transport (FOT)

  The FOT appoints representatives to the Swiss delegation to the CCNR. The FOT also plays a key role in the international navigation commissions for Lake Geneva, Lake Constance and the Ticino lakes in adapting and drafting new navigation regulations for transboundary waters. The FOT's responsibilities include: regulating shipbuilding standards for Swiss inland waterways; overseeing inland waterway traffic; managing the licensing of nautical personnel on Swiss inland waters; and supervising federally licensed passenger shipping operations.

  Federal Office of Transport

Links

• Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR)
• European Committee for Drawing Up Standards in the Field of Inland Navigation (CESNI)
• Convention on the Collection, Deposit and Reception of Waste Generated during Navigation on the Rhine and Other Inland Waterways (CDNI)
• OFCOM (German, French, Italian)
• Port of Switzerland
• Federal Office of Transport