Further extension of mandatory electronic reporting from 1 December 2026
NOTE: General information on electronic reporting is available on the dedicated page “Electronic Reporting (ERI)”.
General
Electronic reporting facilitates the exchange of data between vessels and sector traffic centres, allowing more efficient management of traffic and incidents. The Police regulations for the navigation of the Rhine (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.
Starting in 2010, the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) has gradually introduced mandatory electronic reporting on the Rhine for certain types of vessel and convoy.
At the plenary session in June 2024 (Resolution 2024-I-12 
), the CCNR approved a further extension of mandatory electronic reporting to cover other vessels:
- 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.
Note: In order to be able to send reports electronically, boatmasters must first download the software required (see the useful links below) and create an account. The CCNR would like to encourage the skippers concerned to do this as soon as possible.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
In these FAQ, the term “reporting” is used to indicate contact with the authorities via radiotelephony. “Electronic reporting” indicates the transmission of information using electronic reports, as defined in the ES-RIS.
Part I: scope (vessels), sectors, initiating the reporting
What is the extent of the electronic reporting zone for the vessels and convoys subject to mandatory electronic reporting?
The CCNR has decided that mandatory electronic reporting will apply to the international Rhine, thus from Gorinchem (Netherlands, Km 952,50) to the Mittlere Rheinbrücke in Basel (Switzerland, Km 166,53), and from Pannerden (Km 867,50) to Krimpen aan de Lek (Km 989,20).
Unless indicated otherwise, the answers given in these FAQ apply to the international Rhine. The rules may be different for other sectors of the Rhine or other waterways. It is important to respect the local rules applicable to each sector.
Which vessels are already subject to mandatory electronic reporting, in the period up to 30 November 2026?
The vessels subject to mandatory electronic reporting are defined in Article 12.01 of the RPR. They are:
- vessels carrying goods whose transport is subject to ADN;
- tankers;
- vessels transporting containers;
- vessels longer than 110 m;
- vessels with cabins;
- seagoing vessels;
- vessels with an LNG system on board;
- special transports (as defined in Article 1.2.1).
It should be noted that, as an exception to this list, supply vessels and oil separator vessels (as defined in 1.2.1 of the Regulations annexed to the ADN) are not subject to mandatory electronic reporting, unless the competent authority decides otherwise.
Further, all convoys are subject to mandatory electronic reporting.
Which additional vessels will be subject to mandatory electronic reporting after 1 December 2026?
From 1 December 2026, the list of vessels subject to mandatory electronic reporting set out in Article 12.01 of the RPR will be amended as follows:
- The minimum length will be 86 metres, for any vessel with at least one cargo hold.
- All vessels using an energy source other than diesel to power their propulsion or auxiliary systems will be subject to mandatory electronic reporting. These other energy sources are LNG, methanol, gaseous hydrogen and accumulators with a combined capacity greater than 500 kWh.
Supply vessels and oil separator vessels (as defined in 1.2.1 of the Regulations annexed to the ADN) will remain exempt from mandatory electronic reporting, unless the competent authority decides otherwise.
Why are vessels that use an alternative source of energy for their propulsion or auxiliary systems included in this obligation?
The presence of such systems on board constitutes a specific risk, particularly in the event of fire, collision or accident. It is therefore essential for the emergency and intervention services to be aware of this in order to carry out their mission correctly.
Where should the electronic reports be sent?
The electronic report should be transmitted to the competent service for the sector where the vessel is located at the point when the message is sent (for example, the sector traffic centres at Tiel, Dordrecht, Wijk bij Duurstede or Nijmegen for the Netherlands; the sector traffic centre at Duisburg; the sector traffic centre at Oberwesel; the sector traffic centre at Gambsheim or the sector traffic centre at Basel).
Once I have sent the electronic report, do I also have to report via the marine radio channel (VHF) to the sector traffic centre or to a lock?
Yes. The two means of reporting – by VHF and electronically – are complementary. In the sectors where electronic reporting is compulsory, the boatmaster should report by VHF (on the channel indicated) when passing through locks, arriving in or leaving the sector, and at the reporting points indicated by the B11 sign. The report should give the name of the vessel and its category. In the case of a convoy, the boatmaster should give the information for each vessel in the convoy.
At what point should I send the electronic report? Do I need to send it several times, for example if I change sector?
In the sectors where electronic reporting is compulsory, you should send an electronic report immediately at the beginning and the end of your voyage.
If the information transmitted remains unchanged during the voyage, your electronic report will be sent automatically to the next sector traffic centre by the competent authorities. The electronic report will follow you from sector to sector throughout your voyage and there will be no need to retransmit it, for example when changing sector. Only the VHF report will need to be regularly retransmitted.
However, if the information contained in the electronic report changes during the voyage, a new electronic report must be sent immediately. If the voyage is interrupted for a period longer than two hours, the boatmaster must also notify this electronically, giving the start and end times of the interruption. These reports containing corrections or additional information should be sent electronically to the competent authority in the sector where the vessel or convoy is located at the time the electronic report is sent.
What should the boatmaster do if the composition of the convoy changes during the voyage?
If one of the vessels that makes up the convoy breaks down or has to be replaced directly by another vessel, the boatmaster should notify this change electronically to the competent authority in the sector where the vessel or convoy is located at the time.
Can the electronic report be sent by someone other than the boatmaster?
Yes, with the exception of information on position, direction of navigation and draught. However, the VHF report must always be done by the boatmaster. Where necessary, the boatmaster must also indicate to the sector traffic centre operator which of the electronic reports is the most up-to-date and authoritative.
In the context of electronic reporting, what is the definition of a voyage?
In the context of electronic reporting, a voyage is the movement of a vessel from the departure port to the arrival port. The voyage may include other ports of call, however as soon as the number of persons on board or the cargo changes, the voyage is considered to have ended and a new voyage begins.
Part II: electronic reporting software
What electronic format should I use to transmit my electronic reports?
The format and the technical specifications for electronic reporting are set out in Part IV of the European Standard for River Information Services (
ES-RIS). In practice there are various compliant software options for electronic reporting.
Where can I obtain the electronic reporting software?
Information about the different electronic reporting software options is available via our ‘useful links’. There are several possibilities. It is important to check that the software you use meets your requirements (sectors crossed, applicable legislation, type of vessel or convoy, etc.).
Why is it important to update my electronic report software regularly?
When a software update becomes available, there will be a pop-up reminder on the screen. You are recommended to download and install these software updates as soon as possible to ensure that your electronic reports are processed correctly by the systems receiving them.
The electronic reporting software must comply with current regulations, which change frequently. These changes may concern reference data (type of vessel or cargo), as well as the format used for electronic reporting and other technical aspects. Updating the software allows you to remain up to date with the regulation in force.
I am experiencing technical problems with receiving and sending electronic reports. Whom should I contact?
You should contact the software supplier’s after-sales service.
Part III: specific questions or questions relating to specific sectors
Can the sector traffic centre tell me how many blue cones or blue lights are needed, or which bans on mixed loading apply to my vessel?
No, the boatmaster is responsible for the signals on the vessel or convoy, and for the load.
Do I have to notify the previous cargo if my tanker is empty, but I am en route to the next port of call?
Yes. The previous cargo may affect the calculation of the number of blue cones that your vessel should show. You should send an electronic report giving the previous cargo (indicating the UN number, the class and the classification code in the case of dangerous goods) and give the weight as “0”. Certain types of electronic reporting software, such as the BICS, also offer the option to tick the box “Empty of”.
Do I have to notify the draught by radiotelephony when arriving in the Netherlands from Germany if the draught has already been notified electronically in Germany?
No. If you have sent an electronic report, it is not necessary to notify the draught by radiotelephony. This information is included in the electronic report and is not part of the information to be communicated by VHF. Furthermore, the electronic report that you submitted in Germany will be automatically transmitted to the Netherlands.
However, if you are not subject to mandatory electronic reporting and nor have you voluntarily submitted an electronic report, this information may be requested from you by radiotelephony at various points on your voyage.
Is a sector traffic centre operator authorised to transmit the information contained in my electronic reports to a third party (such as the river police)?
The data transmitted is subject to the strict regulations of the Member States relating to data protection (e.g. the General Data Protection Regulation) and may only be transmitted to third parties in compliance with these obligations (e.g. rescue and damage response services). Anonymised data may also be passed on to the departments responsible for statistics.
My vessel is sailing from Rotterdam to Basel and part of the cargo will be loaded or unloaded at Duisburg. What is the departure port and what is the destination?
The departure port is Rotterdam and the destination is Duisburg. It will therefore be necessary to submit a new electronic report, with Duisburg as the departure port and Basel as the destination. With some types of electronic reporting software, it is possible to re-use the data entered or to create staging points. The regulations stipulate that the boatmaster must submit an electronic report to the competent authority when leaving Duisburg.
My route takes me from the Rhine to the Moselle, or vice versa. Do I need to report to both the lock in Koblenz and the sector traffic centre in Oberwesel?
Whichever direction you are travelling in – from the Rhine to the Moselle or vice versa – on arrival at the reporting point “Koblenz Deutsches Eck”, you need to report by VHF to the sector traffic centre in Oberwesel (see Article 12.01 (6) of the RPR). However, if you have submitted an electronic report to Oberwesel, this will be automatically transmitted to the lock at Koblenz.
Why is it important to include the staging points of my voyage in my electronic report, and not simply the port of departure and destination?
The information concerning the staging points allows the voyage to be planned, including the passing times. This information facilitates the forecasting and management of traffic.
Press
Press releases
- Plenary session Spring 2024
For press releases concerning the previous extensions, please see the page “Press releases”.
BICSmail
BICSmail is published by Bureau Telematica Binnenvaart at the request of Rijkswaterstaat.
Useful links
Reporting software
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. On this site, skippers, transport and 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: Binnenvaart Informatie en Communicatie Systeem) and the associated applications and standards.
Other useful sites
RiverGuide
RiverGuide offers you support for voyage planning. During the voyage, RiverGuide provides all the relevant information on everything you will encounter along the way. Whether you're looking for detailed information on bridges or locks, clearance heights, operating times, the VHF channel or a telephone number, it is all clearly visible on your screen. The right information at the right time. RiverGuide is available as an iOS, Android and web application. This application can be used to send reports electronically when transporting a single cargo that is not subject to ADN. However, it is not suitable for container vessels or convoys. Nor can it be used to report several cargoes being transported simultaneously.
EuRIS – European RIS information portal
EuRIS gives you easy access to all the information you need as a skipper, shipowner or logistics operator on Europe's main waterways. You can register your vessels and track their routes, receive a message when one of your vessels passes a certain point on the network and request information on other vessels, voyages and loads. There are also many other features. As the owner of the information, you manage the authorisation to access it.
ELWIS - German Electronic Waterway Information Service
All information relating to German waterways is published on ELWIS. This information is intended to increase waterway safety and facilitate voyage planning. The key aspect of publishing information on ELWIS is that all the relevant information is provided centrally. All the information published on ELWIS is regularly checked to ensure that all content is correct, up-to-date and complete. ELWIS also offers an information subscription service: ELWIS Abo. Users can subscribe to specific ELWIS information, which they can then receive automatically by e-mail according to their own selection. 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 information relating to traffic (including the number of vessels in each stretch and the estimated waiting time at each lock), water levels, clearances, unavailability of lock basins and notices to skippers. Structural characteristics are also available for locks, bridges, docks, mooring places, etc. (contact details, dimensions, restrictions or available services). All this information is displayed in tables, as well as on an interactive map. The estimated docking time of each identified vessel is calculated and shared with those authorised to access it (in accordance with the terms of the GDPR).
RPIS - Rhine Port Information System
RPIS (Rhine Port Information System) is a multi-port community system for navigation on the Rhine. The aim is to bring inland navigation and the associated port industry together in a network in order to integrate them more effectively into logistic chains. RPIS is a planning and information system for inland ports and multimodal logistics clusters on the Rhine and in the European hinterland.
