On 6 March 2017, the non-profit organisation Fedil Barging held its constituent assembly in which several inland navigation businesses took the decision to come together under a new sectorial association.
For a long time, inland navigation businesses have turned to Fedil for an appropriate framework to tackle sector-specific questions. In terms of international transport means, inland navigation is characterised by cross-border activities and as such, it is faced with specific problems related to social security and working rights, especially concerning work time management.
In this context, the businesses in question have decided to unite at the centre of a new sectorial association with larger objectives, such as representing active businesses in the sector, as well as serving as a permanent link between them, advising and defending them, and directing or supporting any mission judged as useful by its members.
In the accomplishment of these aims, the association will work in close collaboration with FEDIL, and at a European level, it is associated with the EBU (European Barge Union).
In order to represent the new association at a national and European level, the administration council will be made up of Jacques Naaborgh (Chemgas Barging) and Olivier Schweers (Imperial Shipping), who will act as President and Vice-President respectively, for a period of three years. Patricia Hemmen (Fedil) has obtained the post of Secretary-General.
