47th Session of the UNECE ADN Safety Committee: last amendments adopted for ADN 2027

In the last week of January 2026, the five-day 47th Session of the UNECE ADN Safety Committee took place at the Nations Palace in Geneva.

Acting in close coordination within the European IWT Platform, EBU and ESO brought forward a number of proposals reflecting the operational experience and safety priorities of the inland navigation sector. Several of these contributions were taken up in the amendments adopted for ADN 2027.

Not empty loading and unloading arms/hoses

EBU/ESO reported in previous sessions that incidents repeatedly occur in connection with non-empty loading/unloading arms/hoses before and/or after the loading/unloading of tank vessels. This can lead, on the one hand, to environmental pollution and, on the other hand, cargo residues may hit the (ship) personnel involved in connecting and disconnecting and, depending on the substance, cause serious health damage/impairment

The proposal to introduce an obligation for the filler/unloader in Chapter 1.4, and to add new paragraphs 7.2.4.13.4 and 7.2.4.19.4 ADN providing that the connecting line of the loading and unloading lines and the vapour discharge line must be emptied and depressurised immediately before connection or disconnection, and that compliance with this requirement must be confirmed in writing (in text form) to the vessel master or a person authorised by him, was discussed in detail in the ADN Safety Committee.

For ADN 2027, the ADN Safety Committee adopted the proposal with a number of amendments developed by the delegations of the Contracting States during the joint discussions. In future, the obligation to drain and depressurise the connecting line will also be incorporated via an additional question in the ADN checklist.

Fumigated cargo in dry cargo vessels

The German delegation presented final proposals for ADN 2027 to introduce provisions on the carriage of previously fumigated bulk goods in dry cargo vessels (non-dangerous-goods dry cargo vessels

The urgent relevance of this regulatory issue is demonstrated by the increasing number of incidents, mostly during loading/unloading operations, on board inland vessels carrying (previously) fumigated cargo

Most of the regulatory elements proposed by the correspondence group for the carriage of previously fumigated cargo were already adopted at the 46th session. Remaining contentious issues were resolved in the meantime and compromises were found.

The ADN Safety Committee adopted the proposed amendments for ADN 2027.

Reclassification of UN 1202 in ADN as a substance with CMR hazard

The issue of reclassifying UN 1202 as a substance with CMR hazard was discussed for the first time at the 46th session.

Classification as a CMR substance generally means that closed carriage conditions apply to the substances concerned and that additional measures must be taken by shore facilities, such as providing a vapour return line. FuelsEurope suggested maintaining the current carriage provisions linked to the second entry for UN number 1202 until 2031, despite classification as “reprotoxic” (CMR marking) by Concawe under the EU regulations on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP). The substances affected include (motor fuel) diesel fuels in accordance with EN 590, light heating oil, and other gas oils with a flash point in accordance with EN 590, as well as UN number 1863 aviation turbine fuel.

Eventually, the Safety Committee decided for ADN 2027 to replace the current second entry for UN number 1202 with two new entries in Table C (one with and one without CMR hazard). Whether the substance is UN 1202 with or without CMR hazard must be determined by the product manufacturer and/or the consignor. The consignor has to inform the carrier.

For bunker vessels covered by the transitional provision 1.6.7.4.1 ADN, the ADN Safety Committee’s interpretation is that this transitional provision also applies with regard to the carriage of UN 1202. This means that bunker vessels may carry/handle UN 1202 with CMR hazard until the end of 2038, even if the ship’s list of substances currently only contains the entry for UN 1202 without CMR hazard. For bunker vessels with a deadweight exceeding 300 tonnes, which therefore do not fall under 1.6.7.4.1 ADN, a derogation under national law should be possible. EBU/ESO have also pointed out that open type N tankers are still in operation on the Danube, for which an exemption would also be necessary. In addition, the definition of ‘bunker boat’ in 1.2.1 would have to be amended in future, as new bunker boats are no longer constructed in an open way and their deadweight tonnage can exceed 300 tonnes.

For shore facilities, a transitional period of six years (until the end of 2031) was adopted to retrofit vapour return lines. This is set out in document INF 2026/20, drafted during the session week. The scope of application also covers shore-side bunker stations.

In addition, the informal working group “Substances” was tasked with drafting classification provisions for substances with CMR hazard for Chapter 2 of ADN, as such provisions are currently lacking and it is therefore unclear under which circumstances a substance is to be classified in ADN as a substance with CMR hazard. Only for water-polluting substances does ADN refer to CLP; this is not the case for CMR.

The ADN Safety Committee further clarified that the assessment should continue to be based on the hazard-based approach, not the risk-based approach. This renders the discussion on the exposure route unnecessary and therefore also whether UN 1202 only triggers CMR hazard via skin contact and not via inhalation.

Opening of openings

In line with EBU/ESO’s amendment proposal, the ADN Safety Committee decided for ADN 2027, with regard to the exemption for level measurement with a dip tape via the sampling opening, to add wording to paragraph 7.2.4.22.14 ADN to allow opening the cargo tank and carrying out the measurement also where the deviation is identified by the unloader (previously only by the filler).

This amendment reflects common operating practice and avoids misinterpretations by enforcement authorities.

Proposal to simplify the provisions for cooking and cooling appliances in paragraphs 9.x.0.41.2 and 9.3.x.41.2

EBU/ESO Delegation

EBU/ESO submitted a proposal to simplify the provisions for cooking and cooling appliances in ADN, reflecting the fact that only electrically operated appliances are used on board today.

EBU/ESO submitted a proposal to simplify the provisions for cooking and cooling appliances in ADN, reflecting the fact that only electrically operated appliances are used on board today. The ADN Safety Committee decided to delete the wording “with a metal floor” and to allow the installation of such appliances in both the accommodation and the wheelhouse, including on tank vessels.

Subsection 7.2.4.24 ADN: Simultaneous loading and unloading

EBU/ESO raised concerns regarding differing interpretations of the provisions on simultaneous loading and unloading.

After discussion, the ADN Safety Committee did not amend the provision but clarified that ballasting during loading and unloading is permitted, as ballast water is not considered cargo.

Remote control of inland vessels – mandate description for a working group

Following repeated discussions on pilot projects involving the remote control of inland vessels, the ADN Safety Committee agreed to establish an informal working group to review the applicability of ADN provisions. The Belgian delegation submitted a mandate for the working group, which was largely agreed by the ADN Safety Committee. The group will hold its first meeting in the spring, under the chairmanship of Belgium.

Other topics to be discussed in August for ADN 2029: