Switzerland Seeks to Reduce Brussels’ Influence on Rhine Shipping
Published: Wednesday, Aug 2nd 2023, 10:40
Updated At: Friday, Oct 13th 2023, 14:12
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The Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (ZKR) is responsible for the smooth transport of goods and people on the Rhine. Switzerland is an equal member of the ZKR, but this could change as the European Commission wants to increase its influence on Rhine navigation. Swiss diplomat Paul Seger, head of the Swiss ZKR delegation, is trying to prevent this. The EU Commission wants to harmonise the rules on the Rhine and centralise the competences in Brussels, which is likely due to the EU's "Green Deal" to become climate neutral by 2050. The Swiss economy is heavily reliant on the Rhine for trade, with 10% of Swiss foreign trade and 30% of mineral oils being transported via the river. Seger is convinced that solutions can be found through pragmatism, such as the joint committee of EU and ZKR states, CESNI, which develops the most important standards in Rhine navigation and makes decisions unanimously. The legal implementation of CESNI decisions is then done within the respective organisations, the EU and the ZKR. Seger is aiming for a political declaration to be signed by all ZKR members and the EU Commission, in which they would confirm their joint interest in a European harmonisation of inland navigation rules, with CESNI as the central body for the development of standards. The ZKR would acknowledge the need to make inland navigation law content compliant with EU law where applicable, while the EU would respect the parallelism of EU and ZKR norms on the entire Rhine and the equality of both systems.nn
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