river information services
What is RIS?
The acronym RIS means River Information Services. It is a package of various services which together should improve traffic and transport processes. This can be realized by increasing safety and improving efficiency.
RIS standardizes the exchange of information between users and management of the waterway. For that reason, one single communication standard has been developed.
As such, RIS supports traffic management on European waterways. However, by exchanging transport- and logistical data, RIS also makes a better transport management possible. By this, RIS strengthens the competitive posture of inland navigation.
The EC publishes an English language brochure which explains what River Information Services are, and its benefits.
RIS Directive
The RIS Directive has the force of law. It was published on 30th September 2005 in the Official Gazette of the EU.
The RIS Directive imposes a time schedule on national governments to implement the Directive. The Directive also defines the field of application and defines minimum services that will be offered.
Overview of the most important services in the RIS Directive:
Inland ECDIS:
This acronym means Electronic Chart Display and Information System for use on inland waterways. Inland ECDIS has been built from electronic navigation charts (ENC’s) on which nautical information is linked. As such, a navigation map was made with both static information (such as river banks, locks and bridges) and dynamic information (such as water levels). For this application, one single standard is in force all over Europe. The standard was derived from the maritime IMO standard. It was also enforced by the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR) and the EU.
Electronic Ship Reporting
A package with electronic basic information on ship and goods which, as it is, ‘travels’ together with the ship and is transferred from one waterway management authority to another, and even from one country to another. That basic information includes the name of the ship, freight, number of crew on board, destination, etc. As this electronic package of information travels together with the ship, all data are automatically known at the next lock or traffic control station.
The electronic information package is established in a uniform format and standard. As a result, it can be read and understood in several languages and by several parties (shipping companies, skippers, logistic service providers, ports, lock masters).
The reason why all this electronic basic information is presented in a unique standard, is just to avoid that travel data have to be signalled more than one time at various public authorities and commercial parties. The unique standard also allows to exchange electronic messages between parties and inland navigation.
Notices to Inland Navigation
The aim is to distribute the ‘Notices to Inland Navigation’, irrespective of country borders or language. This should improve economic efficiency and safety. An international standard is required, for RIS to be able to communicate in a safe and efficient way. Not only will this international standard for ‘Notices to Inland Navigation’ stimulate the use of modern information technology on board. It will also, and in particular, boost distribution of the ‘Notices to Inland Navigation.’
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