The Mannheimer Akte (Mannheim Act) (officially: Revised Rhine Navigation Act of 17 October 1868) is an international agreement that regulates vessel traffic on the Rhine. The principles of the Treaty are: Free shipping Equal treatment of sailors and fleet Exemption from shipping charges Simplified customs clearance Obligation to maintain the Rhine's banks Standardization of ship safety and ship traffic regulations A single jurisdiction for shipping matters and the establishment of the Rhine waterway courts Establishing a commission to monitor these principles.
History 1648: Free shipping on the Rhine was first settled, in the Peace of Westphalia, but could not prevail in practice. 1815: Called the Final Act of the Congress of Vienna, the freedom of navigation of international waters of the Rhine and the establishment of a commission. 1816: This Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine first met in Mainz, Germany. 31 March 1831: The Mainzer Akte was agreed to. 1861: The Commission was transferred to Mannheim. 17 October 1868: The Convention of Mannheim was signed by Baden, Bavaria, France, Hesse, the Netherlands and Prussia, valid in its principles today. 1919: It was changed by the Treaty of Versailles Article 355 of the Convention of Mannheim. 1920: The headquarters of the Commission was moved to Strasbourg. 1963: An agreement was confirmed with the principles of the Mannheim Act (enacted in 1967) and Switzerland was a signatory.
It is now implemented by the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine.
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