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Inland Waterways

Fair work on Europe's rivers.

Inland waterways are a relatively small transport sector, dominated by small-scale operators working across borders. Around 40,000 people work along Europe’s 41,500 km of waterways, with women making up 11% of the workforce. While 24 Member States have waterways, only 14 are connected to the wider European network.

The sector also includes the fast-growing river cruise industry, where agency staff often face low pay, long hours, poor conditions, and overcrowded accommodation—driven by competition and cost-cutting. ETF affiliates demand fair, safe, and equal jobs for everyone in the river cruise sector. Workers deserve more and should not settle for less. [Read more on our campaign page.]

In freight, inland waterways carry about 6.3% of Europe’s goods, with most traffic concentrated on the Rhine Corridor in the Netherlands and Germany. Despite this, inland shipping remains reliable, energy-efficient, and underused, offering significant potential for growth.

For more data and trends, see the Inland Waterways Market Insight, published by the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine with the support of the European Commission.

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ON THE GROUND
The latest news on the issues affecting us all, and the actions we’re taking to improve our workers’ lives and futures.
Statement

Recognition of Serbian inland navigation certificates: a positive step for workers but challenges remain

The recent recognition by the European Union of Serbia's inland navigation crew certificates marks an important milestone for workers in the inland waterways sector and for the integration of the Western Balkans into the European transport area. Following a European Commission decision, certificates of qualification, service records and logbooks issued by Serbia will now be recognised across EU inland waterways, removing long-standing barriers to labour mobility.
Inland Waterways
News

Automation in Danube inland ports: ETF contribution to the debate

Upon the invitation of the Danube Commission, we participated in the Expert Meeting on the Development of Ports and Port Operations in Ruse (Bulgaria). The ETF was represented by Josef Maurer, Head of Aviation and Maritime, as well as Dencho Denchev from our Bulgarian affiliate FTTUB. We were invited to share the workers’ perspective on the conditions for the acceptance of automation and digitalization by port workers.
danube
digitalisation
inland waterways
Inland Waterways
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ISSUES

The inland waterways sector still lacks a strong European legal and social framework. While progress has been made with the Working Time Directive and the Directive on recognising professional qualifications, two major gaps remain: a harmonised European manning regulation and digital controlling capacity.

Workers also face challenges around social security coordination. Boats often cross several countries within days, with crews on different contracts, leaving many without proper protection. For ETF, the principle is clear: all workers on the same vessel should be covered by one social security regime. Without closing these loopholes, fair transport on Europe’s waterways cannot be achieved.

The sector is also vulnerable to climate change, which is reshaping precipitation patterns, water levels, and navigability. A strong climate policy and structural measures are urgently needed to secure inland navigation’s role in sustainable transport.

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WHAT WE DO
  • Advocate for a comprehensive European framework that ensures decent working conditions, fair pay, and social protection for all inland waterway workers.
  • Push for climate policies that safeguard inland navigation and secure its place in the green transition.
  • Organise annual seminars to strengthen our affiliates, bringing together union officials and front-line members.
  • Run joint campaigns with affiliates, including the long-standing River Cruise campaign, to expose poor conditions and demand real dialogue with employers.
  • Coordinate solidarity and joint strategies with ETF Dockers, Maritime and Inland Waterways Sections, and the ITF to protect workers across interconnected subsectors
WHERE WE FOCUS
  • Representing workers at the European Committee for drawing up Standards in Inland Navigation (CESNI) and contributing to future EU-wide rules and standards.
  • Engaging with the River Commissions, particularly the Rhine Commission, which has major influence over working conditions.
  • Strengthening the European Social Dialogue Committee, the only EU platform where unions and employers jointly address sector issues.
  • Supporting workers in vulnerable subsectors, such as river cruises—where poor conditions persist—and tugs and towage, which face consolidation pressures.

 

SOCIAL DIALOGUE

The European Social Partners, ETF together with its employers’ counterparts EBU (European Barge Union) and ESO (European Skippers’ Organisation) are the representative spokes bodies for the European Inland Waterways sector.

European Social Partners dedicate ample time to monitoring the correct implementation of European legislation such as the Working Time Directive and the Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications, as well as other horizontal European initiatives that might impact on the workers in the sector.

Transport connects us
OUR PEOPLE

THE ETF Inland Waterways section governing body 

2022 – 2027

EMAIL
SECTION COMMITTEE

Jacques KERKHOF

BTB/UBT
,
Belgium
Chair

Igor SHCHEKOTIN

SUR
,
Russian Federation
Vice-Chair for Eastern Europe

Bert Klein

Nautilus NL
,
Netherlands
Vice Chair

Olga Losinskaya

VERDI
,
Germany
Representative responsible for Youth and Women
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