The 39th edition of the IVR Congress will take place in Lyon, France. The city combines historic charm with modern amenities, making it an excellent location for an inspiring and impactful congress.

Lyon is located at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. This creates a unique cityscape with numerous bridges, quays, and views over the water. A beautiful maritime connection with inland navigation!

The IVR Congress 2026 will last three days and will be held from Tuesday, May 19 to Thursday, May 21, 2026. As usual, it will take place in the week before Pentecost, but this year the event will start one day earlier than previous editions.

Stay up to date with the latest news and updates about the IVR Congress via this page and our LinkedIn page.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 – program for IVR board and committee members

InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu

13:00 – 14:30 | Meeting Executive Committee

14:30 – 16:30 | Meeting Board of Management & Advisory Council

16:30 – 18:30 | Meeting Loss Prevention Committee 

InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu

19:00 – 22:00 | Executive Dinner for board and committee members (invitation only)

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 

Les Bateaux Lyonnais – Hermès (boattrip)

14:30 – 15:00 | Walk-in, boarding vessel

15:00 – 16:30 | General Assembly + Keynote speech

16:30 – 17:00 | Cocktail on board 

InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu

18:00 – 20:00 | Welcome reception in hotel 

Thursday, May 21, 2026 

Intercontinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu

09:30 – 11:30 | Meeting Legal Committee

12:00 – 13:30 | Lunch

13:30 – 17:00 | Workshop « Connected Across Boundaries: The Next Wave of Innovation » 

BeauCoco Lyon

18:30 – 19:00 | Aperitif

19:00 – 23:00 | Dinner

« Connected Across Boundaries: The Next Wave of Innovation »

Modal shift on inland waterways in France: situation and forecasts, including the new Seine North Europe canal under construction

« Inland Waterways offer significant potential to reduce cargo transportation carbon print in France. Some results are already to be seen, but many actions still need to be taken, including inland ports new management entities, large promotion actions, modal shift incentive schemes and on top of that, the construction of the new Seine north Europe canal to be delivered at the beginning of the next decade. »

Navigating the Future: Why AI Needs a Human Captain

« In the world of inland shipping, success is defined by finding the most efficient route and managing a complex flow of information. During this keynote, Laurens van Wesep takes you into the fascinating world of AI, showing you how to use this technology as a powerful engine for your daily operations—whether you are at the helm or managing the logistics from the shore.

Biofuels: a Blend of Legal Issues

« The growing use of biofuels in inland shipping is reshaping the industry, but not without legal and technical challenges. Questions around fuel quality, safety and engine compatibility are becoming increasingly relevant. When things go wrong, who bears the risk? This presentation offers a practical legal overview of liability and claims related to biofuel use, highlighting the key positions of shipowners, bunker suppliers, charterers and insurers. »

Risk Mitigation for All Involved Parties During Emergency Response

« My name is Alexandre Tuyttens, and I have spent the last 20 years in the industry, currently serving as the Managing Director of Dutch Barging Services BV and as an owner of tanker barges. Throughout my journey, I have always prioritized safety, operational excellence, and innovation. I also own Shevanti BV, a firm dedicated to providing safety advice for inland tanker barges, shippers, owners and operators. I am passionate about enhancing safety standards to protect both personnel and assets. Today, I will be discussing “Risk Mitigation for All Involved Parties During Emergency Response.” My aim is to share practical insights on effectively managing risks in critical situations, ensuring that we safeguard lives and maintain our organizational integrity. »

Beyond the Wheelhouse: Who Is Really in Control?

« When navigation is no longer confined to the wheelhouse, the question of control becomes less obvious — and far more relevant. Remote operations are already part of daily practice in inland shipping, yet they continue to be treated as exceptions. This creates a growing gap between operational reality and the frameworks designed to govern it. In this session, Ray Berkhout (former CEO of DARI) and Nancy Scheijven (Strategic Consultant at Seafar) will engage in a candid dialogue from both the user and provider perspective. Drawing on real-world experience — including the development and use of an in-house Remote Operations Centre in Dordrecht — they will explore how remote navigation actually works in practice, and why companies are making the shift.

But the conversation goes further. What does “being in control” really mean when navigation is partially shifted ashore? How are responsibilities divided between ship and shore? And do current regulatory and liability frameworks still reflect how operations are truly conducted? By bringing together the perspectives of DARI and Seafar, this session challenges existing assumptions and invites the sector to rethink how remote operations can move from controlled experiments to a credible, scalable standard. »

Registration officially closed on 28 April 2026. Would you still like to attend? Please contact the IVR Secretariat: info@ivr-eu.com.

Participation after the registration deadline is only possible following confirmation from the IVR Secretariat and at the standard rate of €695 (excl. VAT).

The programme for the IVR Congress 2026 is subject to possible changes. We reserve the right to make adjustments to the schedule due to unforeseen circumstances, operational requirements or other unavoidable factors. We aim to inform participants of any changes in a timely manner and thank you in advance for your understanding.

The 5-star hotel InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu is located in the heart of Lyon’s peninsula, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel is situated in a monumental 18th-century building and offers stunning views of the Rhône River, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the historic courtyards, and the city of Lyon.

This unique location will host the board and committee meetings on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. In addition, the welcome reception will be held here on Wednesday evening, giving guests the opportunity to network. The workshop on Thursday afternoon will also be held at this location.

Our guests can reserve a room at this hotel (including breakfast) at a considerable discount on the regular rate.

Classic and Premium Room with Courtyard view – single occupancy – €295

Premium Room with River view – single occupancy – €375

Please note: all rooms are fully booked for Tuesday, May 19. Select May 20 to view available booking options.

Below you will find the link to book the congress hotel:

IVR Booking – IC Lyon

Would you like to stay at the hotel longer after the congress? Please contact the hotel directly to discuss the options: sales.lyon@ihg.com