Classification of European Inland Waterways

Structures such as the Niederfinow Boat Lift limit the dimensions of vessels. As of 2012 a second lift is be constructed to a larger size.

The Classification of European Inland Waterways are a set of standards for interoperability of large navigable waterways forming part of the Trans-European Inland Waterway network within Continental Europe and Russia. It was created by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT; Template:Lang-fr, CEMT) in 1992, hence the range of dimensions are also referred to as CEMT Class I–VII.

The size for each waterway is limited by the dimensions of the structures including the locks and boat lifts on the route.

Classification

Class I corresponds to the historical Freycinet gauge decreed in France during 1879. The larger river classification sizes are focused on the carriage of intermodal containers in convoys of barges propelled by a push-tug. Most of the canals of the United Kingdom have smaller locks and would fall below the dimensions in the European classification system.

Classification	Tonnage (t)	Length (m)	Breadth (m)	Draught (m)	Air Draft (m)	Notes
I	250–400	38.5	5.05	1.80–2.20	3.70	"Péniche"
II	400–650	50.0–55.0	6.60	2.50	3.70–4.70	Euro-barge
III	650–1,000	67.0–80.0	8.20	2.50	4.70	"Gustav Koenigs"
IV	1,000–1,500	80.0–85.0	9.50	2.50	4.50; 6.70	"Johann Welker"
Va	1,500–3,000	95.0–110.0	11.40	2.50–4.50	4.95; 6.70; 8.80	"Large Rhine"
Vb	3,200–6,000	172.0–185.0	11.40	2.50–4.50	4.95; 6,70; 8,80	1×2 convoy
VIa	3,200–6,000	95.0–110.0	22.80	2.50–4.50	6.70; 8.80	2×1 convoy
VIb	6,400–12,000	185.0–195.0	22.80	2.50–4.50	6.70; 8.80	2×2 convoy
VIc	9,600–18,000	270–280	22.80	2.50–4.50	8.80	2×3 convoy
	9,600–18,000	195–200	33.00–34.20	2.50–4.50	8.80	3×2 convoy
VII	14,500–27,000	285	33.00–34.20	2.50–4.50	8.80	3×3 convoy