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DRAFT REPORT (COM(2024)0033 – C90014/2024 – 2024/0011(COD))

On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2005/44/EC on harmonised river information services (RIS) on inland waterways in the Community

TRAN-PR-766881

Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Tom Berendsen

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

The draft report proposes amendments to the Commission's proposal to update the Directive on harmonised river information services (RIS) on inland waterways, focusing on interoperability, data sharing, and reducing administrative burden. It narrows the directive's scope to TEN-T waterways connected to another member state, allows voluntary extension, and promotes cross-border cooperation, including with third countries. It removes mandatory links to eFTI and EMSWe, instead requiring standardised interfaces, and simplifies complaint handling by building on existing structures. It strengthens personal data protection and cybersecurity requirements for RIS data processing.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes amendments to focus the directive on cross-border TEN-T waterways, remove mandatory eFTI/EMSWe links, simplify complaint handling, and strengthen data protection and cybersecurity.

Key points

  1. RIS should focus on TEN-T inland waterways connected to another member state; member states may voluntarily extend requirements to other waterways.
  2. Member states should cooperate on cross-border RIS services and seek cooperation with neighbouring third countries for interoperability.
  3. The directive should facilitate standardised interfaces with other transport modes rather than mandating specific systems like eFTI or EMSWe.
  4. Member states must ensure effective complaint procedures, building on existing mechanisms where possible, and report complaint data annually to the Commission.
  5. Personal data may be processed only when necessary for RIS applications, with rights-based access control and compliance with GDPR and related regulations.
  6. Member states must provide electronic navigational charts for all TEN-T inland waterways and ports, and transmit ship reports in full to neighbouring states before arrival.
  7. RIS Platform must provide services and data, be accessible to all users, and include interfaces with other transport modes and ports.
  8. AIS use should follow the RAINWAT arrangement concluded in Bucharest on 12 April 2012.
  9. Technical specifications for RIS should include data on alternative fuels infrastructure and cybersecurity measures.
  10. Annex II technical specifications for data exchange with other systems should respect principles including real-time exchange and secure information handling.
  11. The latest edition of ES-RIS adopted by CESNI should apply as technical specifications.

Who is affected

  • Inland waterway transport operators and authorities in member states with TEN-T waterways connected to another member state.
  • Competent authorities in member states responsible for RIS, who must operate a single RIS Platform and handle complaints.
  • RIS users, who will have access to a single platform and benefit from reduced reporting requirements.
  • Neighbouring third countries, which are encouraged to cooperate for RIS interoperability.

Figures and deadlines

  • 75% of inland waterways operations includes international voyages.

Legal basis: Article 91(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union