Transport and Packaging

Inland navigation

For the parts of Europe connected to the North and Baltic seas as well as the Rhine-Danube system, inland navigation (and short sea shipping) remains one of the most environmentally friendly transport solutions.

Every year, approximately 550 million tons of goods and raw materials are shipped through European inland waterways by more than 12 000 vessels.

The changes in Europe such as the inland market, the increase in East-West transport, the different transport conditions, different economic and social systems require a high level of flexibility in this complex transport system. Today, the upgrade or renewal of fleets, in order to maintain efficiency and meet the Green Deal targets is essential.

CEN/TC 15 'Inland navigation vessels' is in charge of standardization in the field of shipbuilding and equipment for inland navigation vessels, ship to shore interfaces and inland waterway navigation.

To cite a few benefits, standards in this field allows for a safe inland navigation in Europe, help minimizing environmental impact and supporting cost reduction for assembly and equipment. 

Marine Equipment

The Annex of this Directive list a series of technical specifications or rules including European standards. CCMC regularly exchanges with EC with the objective to update this Annex with new EN supporting marine equipment products. Those inputs are then provided to the Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (COSS).

Recreational craft

The Recreational Craft Directive, enacted in 2013, delineates crucial safety and environmental prerequisites for recreational and personal watercraft. Its core objective is to ensure optimal user safety while concurrently addressing ecological considerations associated with these waterborne vehicles. The directive encompasses various factors, including design categories, stability, buoyancy, hull construction and scantlings, and engine and noise emissions.

Playing a pivotal role in transforming the goals of RCD 2013/53/EU into tangible and effective standards, CEN/TC 464 'Small Craft,' working in conjunction with ISO/TC 188 'Small Craft,' stands as the dedicated technical committee for recreational craft standards operating in the framework of the Vienna Agreement. Comprising experts from various EU member states, and globally, they have been at the forefront of crafting a comprehensive array of standards. These standards ensure alignment with the directive and elevate safety standards throughout the recreational craft industry.

With an extensive portfolio comprising approximately 100 standards supporting the RCD 2013/53, the following highlights the key standards requested for the standardization requested M/542 mandated by the European Commission to CEN:

Alternative fuels infrastructure for ships

CEN and CENELEC also develop European standards to support the deployment of alternative fuels (electricity, hydrogen, natural gas) infrastructure for maritime and inland navigation vessels in the context of the dedicated European legislation. Thanks to these standards, the fuel infrastructure in ports is interoperable with all vessels across the EU. This allows light and heavy ships to refuel anywhere whatever their brand and whatever the kind of refuelling station.

For more information contact Kursley ALAIRY.