What do we want to achieve ?
Inland waterway transport plays an important role for the transport of goods in Europe. Around 41,000 kilometres of waterways connect hundreds of cities and industrial regions. 13 Member States have an interconnected waterway network. The potential for increasing the modal share of inland waterway transport is significant. Compared to other modes of transport which are often confronted with congestion and capacity problems, inland waterway transport is characterised by its reliability, energy efficiency and major capacity for increased exploitation. The European Commission aims to promote and strengthen the competitive position of inland waterways in the transport system, and to facilitate its integration into the intermodal logistics chain.
Inland waterway transport is a competitive alternative to road and rail transport. In particular, it offers an environment-friendly alternative in terms of both energy consumption and noise emissions. Its energy consumption per km/ton of transported goods is approximately 17 % of that of road transport and 50 % of rail transport. In addition, inland waterway transport ensures a high degree of safety, in particular when it comes to the transportation of dangerous goods. Finally, it contributes to decongesting overloaded road networks in densely populated regions.
European Union recognises Serbia’s inland navigation crew certificates
After more than 2-and-a-half-year long process and coordination with Serbian authorities, Serbia’s inland navigation crew certificates are now recognised by the European Union. The Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1179 of 1 June 2026 granting recognition in the Union, pursuant to Directive (EU) 2017/2397, to the certificates of qualification based on examination organised under the responsibility of an administrative authority, to service record books and logbooks in inland navigation, issued by Serbia has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union on the 3rd of June 2026. The Decision shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal.
Contact and queries
In case of any queries or questions in relation to the recognition of Serbia under Article 10(5) of Directive (EU) 2017/2397 or the upcoming Serbia’s ECDB connection, representatives of the EU member states may get in touch with the following contacts in Serbia:
Milan Nikolic
milan [dot] nikolic
mgsi [dot] gov [dot] rs (milan[dot]nikolic[at]mgsi[dot]gov[dot]rs)
+381648094929
Dragan Dmitrovic
dragan [dot] dmitrovicmgsi [dot] gov [dot] rs (dragan[dot]dmitrovic[at]mgsi[dot]gov[dot]rs)
+381655157463
Department for waterways transport and navigation safety
vodnimgsi [dot] gov [dot] rs (vodni[at]mgsi[dot]gov[dot]rs)
+381112691402