RS at the 67th session of the UNECE Working Party
As part of the national delegation, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) contributed to discussions at the UNECE Working Party on the Standardization of Technical and Safety Requirements in Inland Navigation, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. RS was represented by Sergey Legusha, Senior Principal Surveyor of the International Affairs Department.
The session resulted in the preliminary approval of amendments to several regulatory documents, including:
- Resolution No. 61 – Recommendations on Harmonized Europe-Wide Technical Requirements for Inland Navigation Vessels (Chapter 9A “Special Provisions Applicable to Electric Vessel Propulsion” fully revised);
- Resolution No. 24 – European Code for Inland Waterways (amendments introduced to chapter 6 “Rules of the Road”);
- Resolution No. 90 – European Code for Signs and Signals on Inland Waterways (a number of new signs added and existing ones adjusted to improve visual accessibility).
These draft amendments will undergo further review at the 69th session of the Working Party on Inland Water Transport (October 29–31, 2025).
Delegates also initiated work on amendments to the Convention on the Measurement of Inland Navigation Vessels.
Beyond technical discussions, a dedicated workshop “Developments and Challenges of the Legal Framework for Inland Navigation”, highlighted key priorities such as digitalization and automation, as well as the transition to electronic documentation and certification.
The 68th session of the Working Party is scheduled for February 2026, with intersessional efforts focusing on the key agenda items. The theme of the next dedicated workshop will be “Digitalization of Documents in Inland Navigation”. The adoption of an innovation-driven approach is a key factor in upscaling the industry, optimizing logistics, reducing operational costs, and minimizing environmental impact.
RS remains actively engaged in shaping future-proof regulatory frameworks for safer and more sustainable inland water transport.
Additional information:
Founded in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is a world-renowned classification society that operates within all spheres of the maritime industry with the goal of improving the operational and environmental safety of marine transportation. RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships and offshore facilities under construction and in service, certifies vessels and companies for compliance with international conventions, recognizes and certifies industrial products and manufacturers, certifies quality management systems for compliance with international and national standards.
Today, RS is actively implementing the concept "More than class" by expanding its scope of services in the field of engineering and consulting, the development of technical documentation for vessels in service, marine warranty surveys and certification. In addition, RS surveys all container types, including tank containers and offshore containers, confirms compliance of packaging for dangerous goods, as well as renders services on the declaration and certification of dangerous goods and bulk cargoes.