Inland waterway transport plays a vital role in the movement of goods across Europe. Around 41,000 kilometres of waterways connect hundreds of cities and industrial regions, with 13 Member States linked through an interconnected network. The potential for increasing the modal share of inland waterway transport is significant. As an energy-efficient and reliable mode of transport, it offers clear advantages within the broader logistics system. The European Commission aims to promote and strengthen the competitiveness of inland waterway transport, and to facilitate its integration into the intermodal logistics chain.
The NAIADES III action plan and key EU legislation
Technical requirements for inland waterway vessels
Smart and connected waterway logistics
Analysis for sector development
Ensuring a skilled workforce and attractive jobs
Studies related to inland waterway transport
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
Documents recognised as valid on all EU inland waterways
News
The Commission has published a Fitness Check evaluation of the legislation related market access in inland waterway transport.
The Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement to modernise traffic management on the EU’s rivers and canals.
The Commission adopted a proposal to improve traffic management on the EU’s rivers and canals.