European Barge Inspection Scheme (EBIS)

This SQAS package has been developed by a group of representatives from both oil and chemical companies with the aim of setting up a scheme for the inspection of oil, chemical and gas barges operating on inland waterways in Europe (particularly the Rhine).

The questionnaire contains about 200 questions addressing issues such as barge certificates, manning, health/safety/environmental aspects, fire fighting, navigation and cargo operations.

The inspection scheme started in mid-1998 and is operated by EBIS (European Barge Inspection Scheme) which currently comprises 19 oil and chemical companies.

Inspectors, trained and accredited by EBIS, carry out the barge inspections. The scheme operates an electronic database of inspection reports, accessible only to member companies participating in EBIS.

More information about the questionnaire (in four languages), along with the list of accredited inspectors, the list of members and the EBIS procedures, is available on EBIS website.