Summer session 2025 of the Contracting Parties Conference

Strasbourg, 3 July 2025 – The main issues discussed at the Contracting Parties Conference (CPC) on 3 July 2025 included: the SPE-CDNI 3.0, the situations in which cargo tank openings may be opened, degassing standards and a hearing of the approved organisations. The meeting took place in Strasbourg and was chaired by Mr Alexandros Koltsidas, from the Swiss delegation to the CDNI (Convention on the collection, deposit and reception of waste produced during navigation on the Rhine and inland waterways).

The resolutions adopted by the CPC will be published in August on the dedicated page of the CDNI website.

Source: Secretariat of the CDNI

SPE-CDNI 3.0: Further improvements to the system

The SPE-CDNI 3.0 payment system allows boatmasters to pay the disposal charge for oily and greasy waste produced during the course of operating the vessel, either with a smartphone (mobile application) or by means of a printed ECO-ID (QR code).

The CPC has approved a number of changes to SPE-CDNI 3.0. A new function will be added which makes it possible to see exactly what type of fuel has been supplied by the bunkering station: EN590, diesel/FAME mixtures, such as B20, HVO, GTL, etc. This change will allow the analysis of trends in the use of alternative fuels. This change is due to be integrated by September. The CPC will continue to seek new ways to improve the SPE-CDNI system.

Opening of cargo tank openings

ADN 2025 contains provisions relating to the safe opening of cargo tank openings (type N and type C vessels). Thus, since 1 January 2025, this opening is authorised for additional specific short-term interventions. A (minor) release of vapours is unavoidable during these operations. At its summer session, the CPC decided to use an interpretive resolution to align the provisions of the CDNI with those of the ADN in order to avoid any inconsistencies between the two conventions.

Clarification of degassing standards

The degassing standards have been amended in order to clarify their application. One of the amendments concerns transports for which degassing is not required after unloading. The CPC has approved an exemption for substances which are classified as package category III (as specified in the ADN). Degassing of these substances is virtually impossible, or at least not without a disproportionate effort. Package category III goods also present a lower risk.

This amendment will take effect immediately.

Results of the hearing of the profession

Lastly, the CPC afforded the opportunity to discuss the hearing of the profession held the previous day, 2 July 2025, and the principal conclusions reached.

The discussions and questions concerned primarily:

For Part A (oily and greasy waste): the waste disposal charge, the transition from bilge boats to double-hulled vessels, the extension of the geographical area of application of the CDNI in France, the collection and provision of data, the contamination of used oil in the used oil receptacle;
For part B (cargo-related waste): the various phases of the ban on ventilation, the network of degassing stations, washing and ventilation, the relevance of the AVFL figure;
For part C (other waste): the disposal of household waste, the monitoring of on-board sewage treatment plants.

Presentations were given – notably on the latest developments and projects – and the CPC had the opportunity to hear the experiences, requirements and concerns of the profession. The CPC welcomes the constructive exchanges that took place in this forum and thanks everyone who took part in the hearing.

Next meetings

Location: Strasbourg