The European Committee for drawing up Standards in the field of Inland Navigation (CESNI) met on 28 October 2025 in The Hague (Netherlands). The meeting was chaired by Mr Ivan Bilić-Prcić, representing Croatia. The key items on the agenda included work related to the ES-TRIN 2027/1, the methodology for measuring and calculating emissions from inland navigation vessels, work on future regulations for crews and electronic devices, the new edition of the guidelines for the installation of Inland AIS and work related to the ES-RIS 2027/1.
 

Source: CESNI

 
Successful continuation of work within CESNI
 
In the field of technical requirements for vessels, the work relating to the ES-TRIN 2027/1 (European Standard laying down Technical Requirements for Inland Navigation vessels) is ongoing. Currently, this includes the regulations for the use of hydrogen as an alternative source of energy and Track Guidance Assistants for Inland Navigation (TGAIN). In addition, progress has been made on developing a methodology for measuring and calculating air pollution emissions from inland navigation vessels. The aim of this standard is to define a robust, reliable and reproducible methodology to indicate the environmental performance of a vessel (including greenhouse gas emissions), with a view to having a harmonised method across Europe to support the greening of the fleet.
 
In the field of professional qualifications, guidelines concerning competences related to hydrogen are currently being developed. The pilot project for a future European database for the theoretical boatmaster’s examination and the progress achieved so far were presented during the meeting. This common CESNI MCQ database is intended to guarantee the same level of competence for all boatmasters operating on European waterways. Member States may already use a checklist at national level to devise and select MCQs. Finally, the meeting of 28 October also considered the future regulations for crews and electronic devices.
 
In the field of information technologies, the CESNI has adopted a new edition of guidelines for the installation of Inland AIS, destined for the approved specialist firms. These guidelines were in need of revision following the new requirements introduced in the ES-TRIN 2025/1. They will be published on the CESNI website in November. Work is continuing on the next edition of the ES-RIS (European Standard for River Information Services). It will include new requirements for the display of TGAIN on Inland ECDIS. The ES-RIS 2027/1 will be examined by the CESNI in April 2026.
 
Chair of the Committee 2026-2027
 
The current Chair, Mr Ivan Bilić-Prcić (Croatia) and the Vice Chair Mr Florian Röthlingshöfer (Switzerland), covering the period 2024-2025, will complete their terms at the end of this year.
 
In January 2026, Mr Florian Röthlingshöfer will become Chair of the Committee for the following two years (2026-2027). Mr Röthlingshöfer is the Director of the Swiss Rhine Ports. He will be assisted in his task by Ms Monika Niemiec-Butryn (Poland) as Vice Chair of the Committee. Ms Niemiec-Butryn is the Assistant Director of the Department of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation of the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure.
 
Symposium marking 10 years of CESNI
 
On 29 October 2025, the day following the CESNI meeting, an event entitled “Navigating the future of IWT” was held at the Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam. A separate press release covering this event is available on the CESNI website.
 
Participants at the meeting
 
The meeting of the Committee was attended by:

• 10 Member States: Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Switzerland;
• The European Commission, the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) and the Danube Commission;
• 2 Observer States: Serbia, Ukraine;
• 5 approved organisations: EBU, ESO, GERC, IVR, SEA Europe.

 
Next meetings
 
The next meetings of the Committee will be held on 16 April 2026 (pm) and 15 October 2026 (pm).