Carriage, Handling and Storage of Dangerous Goods along

CHALLENGE
WATERWAYS 113
Accurate accident data is not presently available for IWT in the Member Countries. However, reports
from local authorities and communities confirm that there have been accidents resulting in oil spill
pollution, loss of cargo, fires and other incidents. A standard accident reporting and recording system
should be implemented to ensure the effective investigation of incidents, to prevent any reoccurrence
and to share lessons learned throughout the inland waterborne transport sector. An accident recording
database should be established to enable accurate incident data for analysis to highlight trends and
priority areas for developing safety and environmental measures to mitigate risks. The standard
accident system can be used to record incidents related to oil spills, loss of cargo, injuries, fatalities,
fires, security related and other incidents.
In transport and definitely in inland shipping worldwide, the use of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) is dramatically increasing. ICT is potentially an important instrument for promoting
transport over water. It can provide inland shipping with a competitive edge over road transport. In
the European context, a concept for harmonised information services to support traffic and transport
management in inland navigation including interfaces to other transport modes has been developed
under the name River Information Services (RIS). An important aspect is that the RIS structure also
allows information sharing with transport companies, thus enhancing the efficiency of transport
management.
In view of the different level of navigation development in the riparian countries, an advanced ICT
system in the LMB would only be effective and feasible once the transport infrastructure network
and services are in place. However, to avoid a situation where the countries install a different system,
MRC could ensure that the basic functions of River Information Services could be in place based on
a standardised system. This means at first there will be a focus on (1) standardising, harmonising,
collecting, analysing and processing data and (2) a part of the system packages such as disseminating
the most needed information, including water-level forecasts and initial steps for voyage planning.
Once the development of regional navigation is well underway, the basic functions of the RIS can be
expanded to allow for more advanced technological modules such as electronic charting and traffic
management and vessel monitoring systems.
Before any regional services can be carried out, there should be a standardised and harmonised
system. To fully benefit from RIS, it is necessary that different information systems are interchangeable
and capable of mutual communication. Even if a country chooses to develop its own system with
special functions, it is advisable to adhere to a minimum set of basic principles. These basic principles
are laid down in the data and communications standards. Once all parties adhere to these standards
all over the LMB, authorities and industry will be able to exchange data. This will mean substantial
cost savings by abandoning the costly development of interfaces for the authorities and shippers.
Without standards, the industry will probably not launch applications on the market when standards
are changing. Standardization of data will allow better resource management, deliver innovative
products and services and will provide the tools, knowledge, and technological capabilities to take care
of business and the environment. In short, RIS will:
• enhance the safety of inland navigation in ports and rivers in a preventive sense and
contributes to any remedial measures, which are deemed necessary by the competent
authorities,
• protect the environment by providing, among others, dangerous goods information to
the competent authorities assigned to combat pollution within a pre-defined response
time,