The Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR; French: Commission centrale pour la navigation du Rhin; German: Zentralkommission für die Rheinschifffahrt; Dutch: Centrale Commissie voor de Rijnvaart) is an international organisation with five member countries, whose function is to encourage European prosperity by guaranteeing a high level of security for navigation of the Rhine and environs. Founded in 1815, it is the world's oldest international organization still in operation.[1][2] It has been based in Strasbourg, France, since 1920. Lucia Luijten from the Netherlands has been its Secretary General since November 1, 2021.
Members
The current Member States are Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland.[3] Although the Rhine does not pass through Belgian territory, the Belgian Rhine fleet is third after the Netherlands and Germany in terms of volume transported.[4]
Individual German states were members before World War I. The United States was temporarily a member immediately after the World War II, while Germany was under Allied occupation, until 1961. Italy and the United Kingdom were also members following the Treaty of Versailles, though Italy renounced its position in 1935 and the UK renounced it in 1993.[5]
Functions
The commission is responsible for regulating traffic on the Rhine, assisting with works on the river, and functioning as the seat of the Rhine navigation tribunal. Its operational budget is €2.7 million annually.[6]
The commission meets in plenary session twice a year. The Member States are represented by two to four commissioners and two deputy commissioners from their administrations; decisions are taken unanimously.[8]
Its working languages are German, French and Dutch, in accordance with Article 41 of its rules of procedure.[9]
In 1831, the Convention of Mainz was adopted, establishing a number of the first laws governing Rhine navigation. In 1861, the commission's seat was moved to Mannheim, and on 17 October 1868, the Mannheimer Akte was agreed to. This agreement still governs the principles of Rhine navigation today.[11]
The commission resumed its work on November 20, 1945. The current revised convention was signed in Strasbourg by the five current members of the commission and the United Kingdom on 20 November 1963 and entered into force on 14 April 1967. There have since been additional protocols.[12]