Classification of European Inland Waterways

The Classification of European Inland Waterways is a set of standards for interoperability of large navigable waterways forming part of the Trans-European Inland Waterway network within Continental Europe and Russia. It was created by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT; French: Conférence européenne des ministres des Transports, CEMT) in 1992,[1] hence the range of dimensions are also referred to as CEMT Class I–VII.

Structures such as the Niederfinow Boat Lift limit the dimensions of vessels. As of 2012 a second lift is being constructed to a larger size.

The size for each waterway is limited by the dimensions of the structures including the locks and boat lifts on the route.

Classification

Class I corresponds to the historical Freycinet gauge decreed in France during 1879. The larger river classification sizes are focused on the carriage of intermodal containers in convoys of barges propelled by a push-tug. Most of the canals of the United Kingdom have smaller locks and would fall below the dimensions in the European classification system. In 2004, the standards were extended with four smaller sizes RA–RD covering recreational craft, which had originally been developed and proposed via PIANC.[2] The proposal to add the recreational sizes was adopted by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe resolution 52.[3][4]

Classification Tonnage (t) Length (m) Breadth (m) Draught (m) Air Draft (m) Notes
RA 5.5 2.00 0.50 2.00 "Open boat"
RB 9.5 3.00 1.00 3.25 Cabin cruiser
RC 15.0 4.00 1.50 4.00 "Motor yacht"
RD 15.0 4.00 2.10 30.00 "Sailing boat"
I 250–400 38.5 5.05 1.80–2.20 3.70 "Péniche"
II 400–650 50.0–55.0 6.60 2.50 3.70–4.70 Euro-barge
III 650–1,000 67.0–80.0 8.20 2.50 4.70 "Gustav Koenigs"
IV 1,000–1,500 80.0–85.0 9.50 2.50 4.50; 6.70 "Johann Welker"
Va 1,500–3,000 95.0–110.0 11.40 2.50–4.50 4.95; 6.70; 8.80 "Large Rhine"
Vb 3,200–6,000 172.0–185.0 11.40 2.50–4.50 4.95; 6,70; 8,80 1×2 convoy
VIa 3,200–6,000 95.0–110.0 22.80 2.50–4.50 6.70; 8.80 2×1 convoy
VIb 6,400–12,000 185.0–195.0 22.80 2.50–4.50 6.70; 8.80 2×2 convoy
VIc 9,600–18,000 270–280 22.80 2.50–4.50 8.80 2×3 convoy
9,600–18,000 195–200 33.00–34.20 2.50–4.50 8.80 3×2 convoy
VII 14,500–27,000 285 33.00–34.20 2.50–4.50 8.80 3×3 convoy

References
  1. European Conference of Ministers of Transport (12 June 1992). Resolution No. 92/2 on New Classification of Inland Waterways (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 2018-08-30.
  2. RecCom Working Group 8 (2000). Standards for the Use of Inland Waterways by Recreational Craft (Report). PIANC. pp. 30–32. ISBN 2-87223-115-3. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  3. Edwards-May, David (3 July 2007). Classification of Recreational waterways (PDF) (Report). Lille: Stichting Recreatietoervaart Nederland. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  4. Working Party on Inland Water Transport (19 November 2004). "Resolution No.52" (PDF). European Recreational Inland Navigation Network. Geneva: Economic Commission for Europe Inland Transport Committee.

Publications including the full classification table
  • Waterway article including a reference to the European classification
  • Map of the European Inland Waterway Network, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (4th edition, Geneva 2012), without the recreational navigation categories. Waterway Standards.
  • European Waterways Map and Directory, 5th ed., David Edwards-May (Transmanche, 2014), ISBN 979-1-094429-00-6
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