ISO 28701
ISO 28701 inland navigation safety and sustainability management consulting
ISO 28701 consulting helps commercial inland shipping operators and shore support organisations within the applicable vessel types and lengths manage safety and sustainability. It supports ship-shore coordination when integrating fleets or responding to customer requirements. Vosurein reviews the scope, processes and evidence, then helps assign responsibilities, implement the system and review it internally.
For Your Business
Who this service is for and when to start
Commercial inland shipping operators and shore support organisations within the applicable vessel types and lengths, including those integrating fleets or responding to customer requirements. Start with gaps and priorities when responsibilities are unclear, navigation and environmental records are disconnected, or maintenance and incident follow-up are insufficient.
The Challenge
Common challenges faced by businesses
There are management records on both ship and shore, but unclear approval responsibilities for maintenance delays, voyage changes, or pollution incidents can prevent timely risk escalation. If different vessel types or support units copy the same procedure, differences in actual navigation areas and personnel arrangements may be overlooked.
Our Approach
Methods and applicable requirements
The adopted version is ISO 28701:2025.
This standard applies to cargo, cruise, ferry, and passenger vessels longer than 24 meters on inland waterways, as well as shore operations supporting vessels. It also covers situations where sea-going vessels enter inland waterways; actual vessel types and activities must be confirmed first.
The following consulting tasks can be arranged to suit your needs.
Ship-Shore Responsibilities
Define responsibilities for vessel operations, shore management and external partners.
Safety and Environmental Risks
Plan how to manage operational risks, resources and pollution.
Capabilities and Maintenance
Review personnel competencies, equipment maintenance, and operational evidence.
Emergency Response and Performance
Establish reporting, ship-shore collaboration, indicators, and improvement tracking.
Process
Consulting scope and process
Vessel Type, Navigation Area, and Ship-Shore Responsibilities
Determine applicable scope according to vessel type, length, and inland navigation area, and organize decision-making and handover responsibilities for ship, shore, and external support.
Shipping Risk and Maintenance Planning
Plan maintenance and personnel arrangements by combining voyage, equipment, and environmental risks, and confirm the approval and notification methods in case of delays or condition changes.
Ship-to-shore notification and trial operations
Track ship-to-shore notifications and daily operation records, checking whether maintenance, training, and anomalies are communicated to the authorized decision-making entity.
Emergency drills and sustainability performance
Use drills or incident reviews to check ship-to-shore collaboration, compile safety and environmental performance, and schedule pending improvement tasks.
Preparation
What documents do companies need to prepare?
- Vessel navigation area: Vessel length, vessel type, inland waterways and operating activities.
- Ship-to-shore responsibilities: Onshore support, contractors, and notification authority.
- Operational records: Maintenance, training, voyage, and environmental data.
- Improvements following incidents: Response, anomalies, drills, and follow-up.
For the initial discussion, you can provide a summary. Handle customer, personal and confidential business information within the necessary scope and agreed access permissions.
Project Planning
Estimating time and cost
Fleet size, navigation area, onshore units, and existing management systems affect costs. Vessel operational schedules need to be coordinated with interviews, record verification, and drill planning.
Consulting covers shipping safety and sustainability management. Vessel inspections, engineering, crew qualifications and statutory permits remain with the relevant professionals or authorities. External certification requires a separate agreement.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does the standard cover vessels of every length and all navigation areas?
No. It covers specified commercial vessels longer than 24 metres operating on inland waterways and their shore support operations. Check the actual vessel type, navigation area and management responsibilities.
Can existing systems and records be reused?
You can first review existing vessel and navigation area summaries, ship-to-shore responsibilities, maintenance, training, environmental and incident records, confirm the applicable period, scope, and evidence quality, and then fill gaps; rewriting all documents is not a prerequisite for implementation.
What information needs to be recorded when maintenance is postponed?
Retain the reason for the delay, risk assessment, approval responsibility, and follow-up arrangements, ensuring both ship and shore share the same situation, and determine operational handling according to applicable requirements.
How are consulting and third-party certification responsibilities divided?
Vosurein supports system implementation and preparation but does not issue third-party certificates. Confirm the applicable certification scheme, accreditation scope, fees and schedule separately. A certificate does not constitute product approval or proof of compliance with every regulation.
How to prevent missed ship-to-shore notifications?
Clearly designate receiving and backup contacts, response methods, and necessary records, and confirm during drills or routine checks that messages reach decision-making personnel.
Which version should be confirmed before implementation?
This service uses ISO 28701:2025. When implementing the standard or changing the edition in use, confirm customer and assessment scheme requirements and any transition arrangements. Publication does not by itself set a deadline for an organisation to change.
Related
Related services and enquiries
Please provide the industry, activities, locations, main requirements, and expected completion time.Contact Vosurein
Content checked: . Applicable versions and requirements depend on the company’s circumstances.
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