In the inland waterway transport sector, the European Social Partners – ETF, EBU and ESO – aim for the development of modern manning regulation for crewmembers on the European Waterway Network. The only regulation in force now is the RNP (Rhine Navigation Personnel).

Since the introduction of RNP some 30 years ago a lot of changes have been introduced, new technologies have found their way, the IWT population is ageing and increased labour mobility in Europe is a must.  Besides aspects like working hours, competencies and enforcement, the European Social Partners recognize workload as a relevant dimension in developing this new regulation on crewing.

The consortium of DST, Intergo and Professor Peter Turnbull supports the European social partners. At first a workload assessment is carried out to identify relevant task demands and critical elements in the working environment and perception. It is also investigated whether and how these influences have impacted on the crewmembers on board both at managerial and operational level whilst at work and at rest. Future developments, like modern mooring techniques or e-navigation will be taken into account. The project is supported by the European Commission and is called TASCS: Towards a Sustainable Crewing System.

The goal of this research is a documented proposal for a new crew crewing instrument leading to a new EU wide crewing regulation. The new instrument will be easy to use and easy to enforce,  for the European waterway network, taking relevant differences into account and is to be expected end 2018.