The European Commission has just published the updated Directive on harmonised River Information Services (RIS), reinforcing inland waterways as a core pillar of Europe’s smart, connected and sustainable transport system. The revised framework underlines the strategic role of digitalisation in improving the efficiency, safety and environmental performance of inland navigation across the EU.
The new Directive strengthens interoperability across borders and transport modes, addressing long-standing fragmentation in river information systems. A key element is the establishment of a European RIS Environment, designed to act as a shared digital backbone for inland waterways. This environment will support seamless data exchange and consistent service provision throughout the European network.
In addition, the framework explicitly connects inland navigation with ports, TEN-T corridors, eFTI and maritime single windows, ensuring better integration of inland waterways into multimodal logistics chains. By promoting real-time data exchange, automation and system integration, the updated RIS Directive aims to enhance operational transparency and enable more efficient planning and execution of transport operations.
Overall, the message is clear: digital waterborne transport is no longer optional. With the updated RIS Directive, digitalisation of inland navigation becomes a policy-driven requirement, firmly embedded in Europe’s broader transport and logistics strategy.
In short, the new framework focus on the following points also highlighting how digital waterborne transport is no longer optional but policy-driven:
- Strengthens interoperability across borders and transport modes
- Establishes a European RIS Environment as a digital backbone
- Connects inland navigation with ports, TEN-T corridors, eFTI and maritime single windows
- Pushes real-time data, automation and integration into logistics chains
Discover the Directive here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2025/2482/oj/eng
