ABS, a global leader in classification services and technical consultancy for the maritime and offshore industries, and UNITED WATERWAYS (UW), one of Europe’s leading operators in the management of inland waterway services, have announced a strategic collaboration with River Academy, UW’s training division specializing in the preparation of European inland navigation crews.
The partnership will contribute to enhancing the skills and preparation of industry professionals as European shipowners face increasingly complex requirements in terms of safety, sustainability, and decarbonization across river cruising, freight transport, and ferry operations. Training programs will be developed in line with recognized regional and national standards, with the aim of ensuring increasingly effective, consistent, and high-quality crew competence management.
The initiative responds to the growing market demand for highly qualified navigation officers, needed to support a global fleet comprising more than 16,000 vessels. A key element of the collaboration will be the Ocean to River program, successfully launched in 2025, which offers officers with maritime navigation experience the opportunity to transfer their skills and expertise to the inland navigation sector.
Through a structured two-year training pathway, the program prepares qualified professionals to take on command roles aboard river vessels, helping to expand the pool of available experts and strengthen crew capabilities in a sector undergoing continuous transformation.
Campbell Smith, Senior Vice President, Training Solutions at ABS, highlighted how River Academy has built a strong reputation over the years for developing qualified crews, which are essential for the future of the industry. According to Smith, the collaboration with UNITED WATERWAYS represents an important step forward, positioning ABS as a key partner in maritime training for European inland navigation and confirming the company’s ongoing commitment to promoting safety and supporting the maritime community.
Ivan Winterhalder, Managing Director of River Academy, emphasized how UNITED WATERWAYS has always considered crew competence a fundamental element in ensuring operational excellence within the river cruise and European inland navigation sectors. According to Winterhalder, thanks to River Academy’s established training expertise and ABS’s leadership in maritime safety and performance, the new joint venture is ideally positioned to support the evolution of the sector and meet the growing demand for qualified personnel.
An increasing number of shipowners and industry operators are choosing ABS as a training partner for their crews, with the aim of strengthening operational safety, improving performance, and addressing the new challenges facing the maritime sector. Through ABS Training Solutions, the company provides specialized and up-to-date training programs designed to meet the technical, operational, and management needs of the marine and offshore industries, covering topics such as emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and risk management.
Training programs are available in different formats, from digital learning to classroom-based courses, thanks to innovative learning systems that integrate immersive tools such as computer-based simulations and game-based learning techniques. These solutions enable maritime professionals to acquire increasingly advanced skills, preparing them to face a constantly evolving industry with an approach focused on safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
Hannah Gomes