Terms of Use

Version: 1.01
Effective date: 14-04-2026

This page describes the terms of use of BICS, which is provided by Rijkswaterstaat for electronic reporting in inland navigation.

Waterway users who fall under Article 12.01, paragraph 1, of the Rhine Police Regulations (the target group vessels), are required to report to the competent authorities prior to departure. This notification can be made either via VHF radio or electronically. Based on international legislation, certain waterway users are required to carry this out electronically.

Waterway users can use a suitable reporting application and an account provided by Rijkswaterstaat to send electronic notifications (ERI messages) to the competent authorities for the relevant waterways and/or ports.

Access to BICS can be requested via the application form on the BICS website (www.bics.nl), which is managed by Rijkswaterstaat.

You can report technical problems or errors to the BICS helpdesk for support.

These terms of use are provided in multiple languages. In the event of contradictions, differences in interpretation, or inconsistencies between the different language versions, the Dutch version shall always prevail. The Dutch text is considered the authentic and legally binding version of these terms of use.

1. Applicability and acceptance

  1. These terms of use apply to the use of BICS and the associated Messaging Service provided by Rijkswaterstaat for electronic reporting in inland navigation.
  2. By checking the box during the completion of the application form indicating your agreement, you declare that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms.
  3. For questions or comments regarding these terms of use, you can contact the BICS helpdesk.

2. Definitions

  • Messaging Service: the service managed by Rijkswaterstaat with electronic mailboxes (BICS Reporting IDs) for exchanging electronic reports within inland navigation.
  • Account: the Rijkswaterstaat Inland Shipping account. An account is required to use various Rijkswaterstaat services, including BICS, Lock Scheduler, and Fairway Information System.
  • User: any person who has access to BICS using a unique username and password.
  • Reporting application: a suitable application for electronic reporting that complies with the applicable ERI standards.
  • ERI standards and messages: internationally established standards and message types within Electronic Reporting International for electronic reporting in inland navigation.
  • Competent authorities: authorities responsible for waterways and/or ports and for processing electronic notifications.

3. Access and use

  1. An account is assigned to a specific waterway user and is not transferable.
  2. From the moment of activation, you are responsible for the use of your account. You must handle your login credentials with care and not share them with others. You are responsible for correct and appropriate use of the account. Your account may only be used to submit your (own) operational notifications and solely for the purpose for which the Messaging Service is intended.
  3. You must provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information in your notifications in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and any additional instructions from the competent authorities.
  4. As the account holder, you are required to report changes in personal, vessel, and/or address details without delay via the BICS helpdesk.
  5. Rijkswaterstaat may take technical measures (such as maintenance or security updates) that temporarily affect the availability of the Messaging Service. Rijkswaterstaat will make every effort to announce planned maintenance in a timely manner to minimize inconvenience.
  6. You may terminate the account at any time via the BICS helpdesk. After confirmation, the account will be deactivated. Data will be deleted or retained insofar as and for as long as required by law.
  7. Rijkswaterstaat reserves the right to close and possibly delete accounts after prolonged inactivity (> 2 years).

4. Protection of personal data (GDPR)

  1. Rijkswaterstaat processes notifications and personal data in accordance with these terms, applicable laws and regulations, and the privacy statement on www.bics.nl.
  2. Rijkswaterstaat processes personal data solely for:
    1. Enabling and handling electronic reporting;
    2. Complying with legal obligations regarding electronic reporting in inland navigation;
    3. Management, security, auditing, and improvement of BICS and the Messaging Service.
  3. Rijkswaterstaat will use the personal data provided solely to comply with the electronic reporting obligation, in accordance with the relevant European regulations.
  4. Personal data will be retained for as long as necessary for the purpose of processing and insofar as and for as long as required by law.
  5. Additional provisions regarding the protection of personal data can be found in the privacy statement on the BICS website (www.bics.nl). Together with the disclaimer on this website, these form an integral part of these terms.

5. Confidentiality

  1. Rijkswaterstaat treats data exchanged via the Messaging Service confidentially in accordance with the "Privacy Regulations for Traffic Registration Systems Rijkswaterstaat".
  2. Disclosure will only take place where legally required.
  3. In accordance with Directive 2005/44/EC on River Information Services (RIS), where applicable, data will be shared with neighboring waterway authorities in the context of vessel traffic management.

6. Security

  1. Data exchange with the Messaging Service takes place via encrypted connections.
  2. All user activities are automatically recorded in log files to comply with security requirements and legal regulations.
  3. You are required to immediately report security incidents, such as suspected data breaches or unauthorized access, to the BICS helpdesk.
  4. Rijkswaterstaat reserves the right to suspend or terminate access to your account if necessary due to security risks, investigations into misuse, or violations of the terms of use.

7. Responsibility for content and intellectual property

  1. Rijkswaterstaat takes great care to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and clarity of the information and functions within the Messaging Service. Nevertheless, information may be incomplete, outdated, or unclear. We ask you to report this to the BICS helpdesk. Rijkswaterstaat appreciates your feedback and uses it to improve the quality of its services.
  2. All rights to BICS and the Messaging Service, including software, documentation, and (technical) designs, are vested in Rijkswaterstaat or its licensors.
  3. The use of BICS grants you only a limited, non-transferable right of use for the duration and purpose of the service. No intellectual property rights are transferred to you.

8. Amendments to these terms of use

  1. Rijkswaterstaat reserves the right to amend and update these terms of use if necessary.
  2. Substantial changes will be announced via www.bics.nl stating the effective date.

9. Applicable law and competent court

  1. These terms of use are governed by Dutch law.
  2. Disputes relating to these terms of use shall be settled by the competent civil court in The Hague.