Waterways (maritime)

Categorisations, regulations and rights of operators and passengers on inland and coastal waters.

Get emails for this topic

Guidance and regulation

• Inland waterways and categorisation of waters
  • Detailed guide
  • 30 October 2023
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Maritime passenger rights: your journey
  • Detailed guide
  • 22 February 2022
  • Department for Transport
• MSN 1837 (M) Amendment 3: Categorisation of waters
  • Guidance
  • 30 May 2024
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Maritime and shipping statistics: accredited official statistics status
  • Guidance
  • 11 December 2019
  • Department for Transport
• Post Implementation Review of the Merchant Shipping (Boatmasters’ Qualifications, Crew and Hours of Work) Regulations 2015
  • Guidance
  • 4 April 2022
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency

See more guidance and regulation in this topic

News and communications

• High Court throws out appeal against River Thames conviction
  • 22 April 2024
  • Environment Agency
  • Press release
• Environment Agency wins bid for net zero workboats on Thames
  • 20 September 2023
  • Environment Agency
  • Press release
• £48.4 million allocated to improve the Isle of Scilly's sea links
  • 17 January 2023
  • Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
  • Case study
• The Budapest Convention on the contract for the carriage of goods by inland waterways
  • 24 March 2015
  • Department for Transport
  • Written statement
• £5 million to support water rescue
  • 19 November 2014
  • Department for Transport
  • News story

See more news and communications in this topic

Research and statistics

• UK Ship Register Statistics: March 2026
  • 27 April 2026
  • Department for Transport
  • Official statistics announcement
• Shipping fleet statistics: data tables (FLE)
  • 8 April 2026
  • Department for Transport
  • Statistical data set
• UK Ship Register Statistics: February 2026
  • 8 April 2026
  • Department for Transport
  • Official statistics
• UK Ship Register Statistics: June 2026
  • 19 March 2026
  • Department for Transport
  • Official statistics announcement
• UK Ship Register Statistics: July 2026
  • 19 March 2026
  • Department for Transport
  • Official statistics announcement

See more research and statistics in this topic

Policy papers and consultations

• Standards for non-passenger vessels operating solely on inland waterways
  • 11 March 2014
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 13 September 2013

See more policy papers and consultations in this topic

Organisations

• Department
  for Transport
• Maritime &
  Coastguard
  Agency

• Environment Agency