Sector Inland Shipping: Scaling and EU rules professionalize inland shipping

The Inland Shipping sector looks very different from roughly ten years ago. This is mainly due to changed European regulations. Technological developments also play a role, affecting the competences of employees and organizations striving to stay up to date. These developments make the question “What’s next?” a real challenge. Manager of Inland Shipping, Harm Bergsma of STC Next, knows the answers.

Scaling Up

No longer are there ten or fifteen thousand-tonners to bunker a seagoing vessel full of fuel; just one ship that gets the job done in one go. Barges with a length of 135 meters and 23 meters wide are just a few examples resulting from economies of scale in inland navigation. “New EU rules should lead to a level playing field in training, examination, and also technical regulations,” says Harm. “That also contributes to economies of scale. Inland shipping employees have to deal with it more and more. STC Next’s training offerings are growing along with this.”

EU Directive

In particular, the new European directive for professional qualifications in inland shipping, which came into force in 2017, means a substantial adjustment in the way training and education – this is STC Next’s responsibility – and examining is conducted in the Netherlands by the CBR. This applies to all levels of inland navigation. “EU countries are still working on implementing this changed legislation,” says Harm. “Also within STC Next, we are working on course material that aligns with the new legislation. The content is shifting more and more to a higher level, with plenty of attention given to developing management skills.”

Individuals and Shipping Companies

Harm observes a difference in training needs among shipping companies with multiple ships and among private skippers, who often own one ship. “With shipping companies, we are seeing an increasing demand for managers who can manage a fleet and for captains with management skills. We see less of this demand among individuals, although due to regulations and other factors, they are also increasingly faced with mandatory training and licensing. Here, too, there is a need for additional knowledge.”

Technological Developments

Then there’s the technology itself, which is increasingly making itself heard. “Think about the use of other fuels, the use of hydrogen or electric sailing. Or what about autonomous sailing using a remote control center, or track control assistants? STC Next has state-of-the-art full mission simulators, and that too is technology. All facets of sailing on inland waterways come together in such a simulator: sailing, managing the crew, and knowing and applying the sailing regulations.”

River Cruises

Another development that determines STC Next’s training offerings is the increasing number of shipping companies offering river cruises. “This has consequences for the employees in inland shipping, who are expected to have other competencies,” says the professor. The five lecturers within STC Next’s Inland Shipping sector train students and organizations for all developments. “But,” says Harm, “they are only the tip of the iceberg. We use the expertise of all sectors within STC Next, focusing not only on river cruises, but also on other forms of transport such as tanker shipping and container ships. In addition to a development path in inland shipping, we offer the opportunity to follow all required safety training and specializations, such as ADN. In that sense, we are a real ‘one-stop shop’ in terms of training.”

STC Next Keeps You Growing

STC Next’s slogan is particularly fitting for inland shipping. The sector is keeping its eye on the future unabated. Due to an aging population, hundreds of well-trained employees will be needed here in the coming years. In this future, STC Next keeps individuals and organizations, skippers, and shipping companies growing and moving.