Starting January 1, 2025, the Inland Waterways Police Regulations (BPR) will no longer require a crew on board vessels navigating Dutch inland waterways. From this date, parties can apply for an exemption to allow autonomous or remote navigation.
This change was recently announced by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management. The Ministry has been supporting the development of autonomous shipping since 2017 through the Smart Shipping program, which includes experiments with innovative “smart shipping” technologies on national waterways. Remote and autonomous navigation is seen as a key component in achieving safer and more sustainable transportation over waterways, with automation playing a vital role in enhancing the safety, sustainability, and competitiveness of the shipping industry.