The 39th edition of the IVR Congress in Lyon was a great success. From Tuesday 19 May to Thursday 21 May 2026, more than 200 participants from across Europe gathered for a varied programme full of networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and valuable discussions.

On Tuesday, May 19, the congress kicked off at the InterContinental – Hotel Dieu with meetings of the Executive Committee, Board of Management, Advisory Council, and the Loss Prevention Committee – and concluded with an atmospheric Executive Dinner for the board and committee members of IVR.

The schedule for the second and third days of the congress was slightly different this year than usual, partly in response to the specific request from members to establish more networking opportunities.

Wednesday, May 20, therefore began with the General Assembly for all members, aboard the ship Hermès.

Prior to the meeting, the Secretary General of the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR), Hester Duursema, delivered a keynote speech.

Subsequently, the meeting was officially opened by IVR President Anneke Kooiman.

In addition to the formal agenda items, the meeting also included some special and personal moments. A moment of silence was held in memory of the passing of honorary member Bruno Wehrli, during which attendees collectively honoured his significant contributions to IVR. During the meeting the members also agreed to the appointment of Tobias Braun as a new member of the Executive Committee of IVR.

Finally, the congress location for 2027 was officially announced: Rotterdam.

After the meeting and an aperitif on board, the ship sailed back to the quay. The program continued with a welcome reception in the beautiful courtyard of the InterContinental, where participants could catch up in an informal atmosphere.

Thursday, 21 May was dedicated to in‑depth content and discussion. At the InterContinental – Hotel Dieu, various presentations were given (after a delightful lunch in the courtyard), during which experts from the sector shared their knowledge, experience, and current insights.

The workshop opened with a presentation by Eloi Flipo of Voies Navigables de France, who provided a substantive overview of developments and prospects for the French waterways.

Next, Laurens van Wesep from Optimorrow introduced participants to the world of AI, its potential applications in the inland navigation sector, and the role of human expertise in this digital transformation.

Mark Broekhuisen, lawyer at Van Traa, shared his insights into the legal and technical challenges of biofuels, including quality, safety, liability, and damage claims.

Alexandre Tuyttens of Dutch Barging Services presented on risk mitigation during emergencies, offering practical examples of how to handle critical situations and protect both personnel and cargo.

On behalf of Seafar, Raymon Berkhout and Nancy Scheijven presented the latest developments in autonomous sailing and remotely operated vessels within the sector.

Participants praised the workshop for its variety of topics, the high quality of the speakers, and the rich opportunities it provided for discussion and knowledge exchange. The workshop was moderated by IVR’s Secretary General, Frouwke de Vries.

The day concluded with a shared aperitif and dinner at the beautiful BeauCoCo Lyon, an atmospheric restaurant housed in a characteristic former railway station (Gare des Brotteaux). The venue served as a fitting nod to the importance of modal shift and collaboration within international freight transport. The dinner formed the festive finale to a successful and inspiring edition of the congress.

IVR looks back with great pride and gratitude on a highly successful event. All photos and the speakers’ presentations will soon be published on this webpage.

Annual participation in the IVR Congress is possible with an IVR membership. Would you also like to be part of the extensive IVR network? Then sign up for a membership today!