Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR)
Position description
The Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) is an international organisation that plays a key role in the navigation of the Rhine. Its main objectives are to ensure good navigation conditions on the Rhine and to promote inland navigation that is safe and respectful of the environment on the waterways. It is active in technical, legal, economic, social and environmental domains. Many of the CCNR’s activities now go beyond the Rhine itself and encompass European inland navigation in the broadest sense.
The CCNR is composed of five Member States (Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland) and works more and more closely with the European Commission, as well as with other river commissions and international organisations, along with Observer States and organisations that represent the sector.
Located in Strasbourg and made up of an international team of 35 persons, the CCNR is seeking to recruit for its Secretariat an intern to support work linked to the inland waterways market observation areas, and more specifically collecting and analysing statistical data, focused on new markets.
Market Observation activity description
The Market Observation annual reports and Market Insights are published by the CCNR dealing with the European inland navigation market. The gathering and analysis of these data by the CCNR has been co-financed by the European Commission since 2005.
Internship description
The intern work will be fully integrated in the frame of the Market Observation activity. Within the internship, there are three main tasks, which are described below.
Assistance in collecting and analysing economic data for the annual report 2026
The data collection and analysis will take place in the framework of the annual report 2026, focusing on various aspects of inland waterway transport in Europe. The report is planned to be published in September 2026.
- Drafting the executive summary of the report;
- Analysing studies of macroeconomic nature in view of drafting, more specifically, the first chapter of the report on the macroeconomic conditions for the year 2025;
- Collection and analysis of statistical data from Eurostat, OECD, national statistical offices, waterway administrations and other organisations (such as Oxford Economics) which are necessary for various chapters of the annual report (passenger and freight transport demand, freight and passenger fleet, labour and company aspects, outlooks…);
- Analysis of specific market segments (e.g. container transport, grain transport, etc.), especially for the outlook chapter.
Support the organisation of an event on possible new markets for inland navigation linked with the energy transition
The Market Observation team of the CCNR Secretariat is working on the topic of new markets for inland navigation linked with the energy transition. Indeed, on the one hand the energy transition is expected to negatively impact existing cargo flows, in particular the transport of fossil-related products by inland navigation, such as coal. On the other hand, opportunities will also arise from the energy transition in the form of new or growing markets: transport of biofuels, hydrogen, ammonia, CO2,… The intern could provide assistance in organising an event dedicated to this topic, to take place on 16 June 2026.
Based on the conclusions from this event, another task could be to draft a follow-up summary report.
Other tasks: The intern will also assist in quality checks of the Market Observation reports and in the creation of excel databases. The intern might be asked to assist in designing a model for analysing future cargo flows. Furthermore, the intern might be asked to assist in the writing of other thematic market observation reports.
The intern is expected to carry his/her tasks in close cooperation with the Market Observation team of the CCNR. The intern will receive guidance in order to carry out his/her tasks.
The person applying for the position should ideally have the following skills
Content related skills
- Good understanding of economics;
- At least basic knowledge about the transport sector.
Empirical research skills
- Ability to work with large datasets (understanding underlying patterns of data);
- Ability to conduct quantitative as well as qualitative research;
- Ability to conduct interviews with important actors from inland ports, research units, etc.
Personal skills
- Research orientated mindset and curiosity;
- Ability to work autonomously as well as inside a team;
- Good style of communication and good writing skills;
- Motivation to work in an international environment;
- Profound oral and written language capacities in English;
- Good oral and written language capacities in Dutch or French or German.
Conditions
- Six months internship from March 2026 to August 2026 (some flexibility with the internship period is possible);
- Attractive internship remuneration (1000€ per month);
- Possibility to do some home office;
- Office located in Palais du Rhin, 2, Place de la République, F-67082 Strasbourg/France or home office;
- Obligation to have an internship agreement or equivalent.
Application instructions
Please send a cover letter and a CV before 7 December 2025.
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