Alternative energy sources in inland navigation: amendments to the Police regulation for the navigation of the Rhine

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Roadmap of the Central Commission for Navigation of the Rhine

In 2022 the Central Commission for Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) published a roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants in inland navigation by 2050. In the roadmap transition scenarios based on the available technologies for the current and future ship fleet were considered. When implementing the necessary measures on the way to the energy transition with a focus on inland navigation in terms of good and passenger transport with inland vessels, legal, economic, technical, infrastructural, and social aspects have to be taken into account. Regulatory measures include, among others, the appropriate regulatory basis for the use of alternative energy sources at the technical, operational, and personnel levels, as well as a possible adjustment of the requirements for bunkering these energy sources. [1], [2]

Legal requirements for the use of alternative energy sources

The regulatory framework for the use of alternative technologies is based on several requirements. The main working fields of the police regulation committee are the safety of navigation, operation of vessels as well as behaviour of river traffic. The adaption of the Police regulations for the navigation of the Rhine (RPR) regarding the use of alternative energy sources aims to reduce emissions in terms of the CCNR roadmap and to support innovative pilot projects. [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]

Basic technical requirements for inland vessels, which the RPR refers to, are defined by the European Standard laying down Technical Requirements for Inland Navigation vessels (ES-TRIN). Within ES-TRIN the European committee for drawing up standards in the field of inland navigation (Comité européen pour l’élaboration de standards dans le domaine de la navigation intérieure, CESNI) determines requirements on inland navigation vessel construction and equipment, special provisions for certain kinds of vessels as passenger and container vessels, specifications on the model of inland navigation vessel certificate as well as instructions for applying the technical standard. [3], [8]

The temporary working group for alternative fuels (CESNI/PT/FC) is responsible for the development of the technical requirements for the use of alternative energy sources. Priority is given to regulations for methanol and gaseous hydrogen, followed by consideration of other energy sources such as compressed natural gas [8]. ES-TRIN 2025/1 includes requirements for liquified natural gas (LNG) and methanol in the annex 8 “Supplementary provisions applicable to craft equipped with propulsion or auxiliary system operating on fuels with a flashpoint equal to or lower than 55 °C” [9], [10]. The draft of requirements for gaseous hydrogen is available as preliminary guidelines for pilot projects and is intended to be included in ES-TRIN 2027/1.

In addition to operational and technical requirements, the provisions for the crew on board inland vessels with alternative energy sources are also decisive for ensuring the safe use of these energy sources. The Regulations for Rhine navigation personnel (RPN) define demands for LNG and refers to the European Standard for Qualifications in Inland Navigation (ES-QIN). [4], [11], [12], [13]

Changes in regulation

In addition to the general availability the basis for the use of alternative energy sources in inland navigation is the appropriate regulatory framework to allow their use under safe conditions. In this context, the technical, operational, and personnel requirements have to be closely interconnected. Since 2022 on request of the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), the German Maritime Centre (DMZ) is developing proposals for amending the RPR to integrate alternative, sustainably produced energy sources for inland vessels.

The proposals of the DMZ initially considered different alternative energy sources, based on the CCNR roadmap. During the past year, the work focused on methanol and accumulators as alternative energy sources. The proposed amendments were presented along with an explanatory report in the meetings of the CCNR working group on police regulations (RP/G) and discussed with those present. In addition, external experts were involved in the drafting process with a request for feedback and commentary.

Based on the experiences of the recommendations from the CCNR for pilot projects on the Rhine [7] (also refer to [4], [14]) and the work of the RP/G group the CCNR secretariat drafted a proposal for the amendment of the RPR, which provides the inclusion of methanol and accumulators as alternative energy sources and was submitted to the CCNR police regulation committee.

In the course of the work on alternative energy sources, the CCNR decided an adjustment to the electronic reporting obligation on the Rhine, so that it was extended to additional vessels by the 01/12/2026 (resolution of the spring meeting on 13/06/2024: CC/R 2024 I). This provision considers vessels longer than 86 metres up to 110 metres with one or more cargo holds as well as vessels powered by an energy source other than diesel or LNG for propulsion or auxiliary systems. LNG war already subjected to the electronic reporting obligation. Methanol, gaseous hydrogen and accumulators with a combined capacity greater than 500 kilowatt hours (kWh) are considered in the current decision. Exemptions are possible for day-trip vessels and special transports referring to §1.21 of the RPR. [6], [15], [16], [17]

Based on the proposal of the police regulation committee the CCNR decided at this year’s spring plenary meeting to adopt the proposed amendments of the RPR for the use of methanol and accumulators with a combined capacity greater than 500 kWh (resolution on 05/06/2025: CC/R 2025 I). On 1 June 2026 the changes to the RPR will enter into force and consider the marking of vessels, passing through locks, berthing, watch and surveillance, bunkering or replacing exchangeable tanks as well as the safety of vessels. The latter aspect requires a person on board with the appropriate knowledge. [6], [7], [15] , [18]

The personnel qualification for LNG as a new alternative energy source was considered by the adoption of the RPN. The boatmaster and persons who are involved in the bunkering process must be certificated for using LNG. The qualification and skills require a certificate of qualification for LNG experts. [4], [12]

Regarding inland vessels using methanol and accumulators, a different approach has been chosen for reducing the administrative effort. Currently no special certification is intended and one person with appropriate knowledge of the alternative energy source used is required on board. The resolution of the spring meeting in 2025 refers to guidelines of CESNI as recommendations for qualification concerning the competences required for the operation of vessels using methanol as a fuel and the operation of vessels with an electrical power supply for propulsion. [6], [7], [13], [15], [18], [19], [20]

Future steps

In a currently ongoing subproject, the DMZ supports the BMV upon request to expand the RNR with regulations for gaseous hydrogen as an alternative energy source. The proposed amendments developed by the DMZ are submitted by the BMV to the relevant CCNR committees. The proposals for the RPR are closely coordinated with the technical requirements, the ES-TRIN, and any necessary changes to the ES-TRIN are pointed out so that the regulations are coherent in order to avoid discrepancies. Additionally, the resulting changes for the personnel are considered, and the necessities for qualifications are highlighted.

Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine [17], [21], [22], [23]

• International institution for freedom and safety of navigation on the Rhine since 1815
• Member states: Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland
• Delegations of the member states form the Central Commission
• Definition of the legal framework for the navigation of the Rhine
• Addressing topics of inland navigation in close cooperation with the European Commission, other river commissions and international organisations
• Participation of observer states: Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, Serbia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic
• Work fields: technology und safety, economy, law, social topics, environment and infrastructure

European committee for drawing up standards in the field of inland navigation [24], [25]

• Establishment 2015 based on a resolution of the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine
• Development of uniform, modern, user-friendly requirements and a sustainable inland navigation
• Committee of experts of the CCNR member states and the European Union as well as representatives of international organisations of inland navigation
• Possible participation of observer states
• Resolutions on technical requirements for different fields of inland navigation, crew and information technology
• Guidance on the uniform interpretation and application of the regulations
• Consultation on safety, environmental protection and other topics of inland navigation