Electronic reporting (ERI)

IMPORTANT: A further extension of mandatory electronic reporting was adopted by the CCNR in June 2024. This will enter into force on 1 December 2026.

Additional information regarding the vessels concerned, together with FAQ and useful links, is available on the dedicated page “Further extension of mandatory electronic reporting from 1 December 2026”.

Introduction

Electronic reporting makes the exchange of data between boatmasters and sector traffic centres much easier than reporting using radiotelephony or even in writing. Electronic reports are integral to River Information Services (RIS) with regard to:

• collecting strategic traffic information,
• simplifying traffic management,
• contributing to accident prevention,
• preparing statistics,
• monitoring the implementation of requirements.

Electronic reporting also reduces the administrative workload for boatmasters and inland waterways managers. It contributes to the modernisation of inland navigation and promotes the use of new technologies. ERI is fully in line with the CCNR RIS strategy.

A brief history of the standardisation of electronic reporting

Electronic reporting uses standardised electronic messages.

In May 2003, the CCNR adopted the first Standard for Electronic Reporting in Inland Navigation, Edition 1.0 (Resolution 2003-I-23 ). This standard was based on international norms and classifications and set out the rules for the use of electronic reporting. It was updated in 2006 to include various practical and technical developments (Resolution 2006-II-23 ). This standard was later also incorporated into the legislation of the European Commission (Regulation (EU) No 164/2010 of 25 January 2010)

In April 2013, The Police Regulations Committee adopted a new edition of the Electronic reporting Standard (Edition 2013). This version incorporated all the changes necessary to comply with the specifications published by the European Union.

From 2022 this harmonisation continued, with a reference to the ES-RIS Part IV (European Standard for River Information Services) being included in the Police regulations for the navigation of the Rhine (RPR). This Standard is intended to replace the standards published by the CCNR and the European Union. A new edition of the ES-RIS is published every two years and the reference to the ES-RIS included in the RPR is regularly updated.

The CCNR has also issued a Guide to Electronic Reporting in Inland Navigation . This explains the Standard, the reporting procedures and the nomenclatures, such as the list of codes. It also describes the implementation in various European countries and lists organisations able to provide further information.

Implementation of mandatory electronic reporting

The RPR (Article 12.01) lays down mandatory reporting for certain vessels or convoys. The boatmaster, or a third party, must communicate to the competent authorities the required information relating to the vessel or convoy, the cargo being transported and the voyage.

In recent years, Article 12.01 of the RPR has undergone a number of amendments, gradually extending mandatory reporting on the Rhine. Reporting via radiotelephony is thus reduced to the strict minimum, using information communicated electronically. This obligation has been introduced gradually since 2010, with various phases relating to various types of vessel or convoy.

Once again, the CCNR has demonstrated that by working closely with the administrations in its Member States and the navigation sector, it is able to successfully accomplish complex projects, both technical and organisational. The CCNR can therefore justifiably be seen as fulfilling a leading role in inland navigation. Its willingness to embrace innovation and new technologies enables the CCNR to champion the development of safe, profitable and modern inland navigation.

The various stages of mandatory reporting were reflected in the following changes to Article 12.01 of the RPR:

• The CCNR adopted, in Resolution 2007-II-20, the mandatory use of electronic reporting for certain container vessels. For the first time, the information required by the RPR had to be transmitted electronically. However, as a result of technical and organisational issues, the CCNR was forced to delay the introduction of mandatory electronic reporting. It finally entered into force on 1 January 2010 (Resolution 2009-I-17). From that point on, vessels transporting more than 20 containers or at least one container with hazardous substances, were obliged to send the required information to the traffic centres (sector traffic centres, traffic stations) by electronic means.
  This became mandatory on 1 January 2010.


• Between 1 December 2015 and 30 November 2018, a temporary provision extended this obligation to all vessels transporting at least one container (Resolution 2015-I-16).


• At the end of this period, the CCNR decided that this measure should become permanent, and should also cover vessels and convoys with fixed tanks on board (Resolutions 2017-I-11 and 2018-I-12).
  This became mandatory on 1 December 2018.


• At the autumn plenary session in 2019, the CCNR adopted a resolution making electronic reporting mandatory for:
  • vessels carrying goods whose transport is subject to ADN,
  • vessels longer than 110 m,
  • vessels with cabins,
  • seagoing vessels,
  • vessels with an LNG system on board, and
  • special transports.
  This became mandatory on 1 December 2021.


• In 2024 (Resolution 2024-I-12), the CCNR approved a further extension of mandatory electronic reporting to cover other vessels that had not previously been obliged to report, neither by radiotelephony nor electronically. This further extension applies to:
  • vessels longer than 86 metres with one or more cargo holds;
  • vessels using an energy source other than diesel to power their propulsion or auxiliary systems, i.e. methanol, gaseous hydrogen and accumulators with a combined capacity greater than 500 kWh. Vessels powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) remain subject to mandatory electronic reporting.
  This will enter into force on 1 December 2026.

These progressive phases extending mandatory electronic reporting illustrate the pioneering role of the CCNR as the Rhine is the first international corridor to implement this measure, and to gradually extend it. Introducing this measure contributes to improving safe navigation on the Rhine, as well as reducing the administrative workload for the profession and the authorities involved.

Reference documents

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

FAQ concerning mandatory electronic reporting, together with questions relating specifically to the further extension are available on the dedicated page “Further extension of mandatory electronic reporting from 1 December 2026”.

Useful links

Reporting software

• Autena - Supplier of the “ContainerPlanner” software
• BICS - Dutch Inland Shipping Information and Communication System
• RiverGuide - (this software can only be used where a single cargo is transported, outside the ADN).

Other useful sites

• EuRIS - Portal for RIS in Europe
• E-RIS – Upper Rhine RIS
• RPIS – Rhine Port Information System