The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) recently participated in the 65th session of the UNECE Working Party on the Standardization of Technical and Safety Requirements in Inland Navigation (SC.3/WP.3-65) as part of the Russian delegation. This event took place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, where the Working Party provisionally approved draft amendments to the fourth revision of the Inventory of Main Standards and Parameters of the E Waterway Network (Blue Book) and the Inventory of Most Important Bottlenecks and Missing Links in the E Waterway Network. These amendments will be further reviewed by the Working Party on Inland Water Transport during its 68th session in October 2024.
The session included a workshop titled “Towards a Smart and Sustainable Inland Water Transport,” which highlighted key areas for developing smart and sustainable inland water transportation. The priority areas discussed included decarbonization and green policies for fleet and infrastructure, transitioning to alternative fuels, adapting to climate change, autonomous shipping development, timely dredging, regulatory updates, flexible crewing rules, and enhancing specialized education and crew training systems.
Founded in 1913, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is a globally recognized classification society that aims to enhance safety standards for human life at sea, ensure safe navigation and transportation, and develop environmental protection standards. RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships, issues certifications, and ensures compliance with international conventions. Their services extend to container surveys, dangerous goods certification, and quality management system certifications. The next session of the UNECE Working Party will be held in February 2025, focusing on key agenda items.
