Dear Members,

Outcomes for Inland Waterways Transport following the 47th Session of the ADN Safety Committee – UN Geneva

Gafta is pleased to report the conclusion of a significant regulatory achievement following the 47th session of the Joint Meeting of Experts on the Regulations annexed to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN Safety Committee), held this week at the United Nations in Geneva.

Sarah Mann, Technical Manager, represented Gafta, alongside partners from COCERAL and UNISTOCK Europe. The ADN Safety Committee unanimously adopted a proposal regarding the transport of previously fumigated bulk cargoes. This decision marks the conclusion of more than four years of technical negotiations and direct advocacy to ensure the continued viability of grain and oilseed transport via European inland waterways.

The original regulatory proposals posed a severe threat to the industry. Initial proposals sought to classify all previously fumigated grains and feedstuffs as "Dangerous Goods," while mandating phosphine gas residue thresholds as low as 0.01ppm—a level deemed technically unfeasible for consistent measurement; the ADN Safety Committee acknowledged a level this low would “break” the logistics chain.

The newly adopted text represents a balanced, workable compromise. It prioritizes the safety of barge crews and their families while maintaining the operational flow of trade.

Under the revised regulations, the "filler" (as defined in ADN 1.2.1) is mandated to ensure that, following the loading of previously fumigated bulk cargo, phosphine gas concentrations do not exceed 0.1ppm in the cargo hold and 0.03ppm in the living quarters. They are also required to ensure that all retrievable residues of any previous fumigation have been removed and to pass on any available information about previous treatments.

The revised ADN provisions are scheduled to come into force on 1 January 2027, with a formal implementation period concluding on 1 July 2027.

Gafta remains actively engaged in the transition process and will participate in an Informal Correspondence Group meeting on 23 February to finalize the "Information Strategy" and the framework for future evaluations. We will also look to produce “Information/Briefing Notes” for members who may be affected by the changes, as well as working with the barge associations in Europe (EBU/ESO) to share best practice for the practical implementation of the regulations.

We would like to thank our members for their technical input throughout this complex advocacy campaign. The Committee specifically noted the value of the unique perspectives provided by Gafta and our sister associations in reaching this consensus and thanked us for our participation.

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