In order to encourage reflection on a potential inland waterways classification for the South American region, tthis document uses the example of the European system of classification to demonstrate the role of classifications in the inland navigation development and formulates an initial proposal for the classification. An previous version of this document has been published as the ECLAC FAL Bulletin 346: Inland waterways classification as a tool for public policy and planning: core concepts and proposals for South America and discussed during the expert meeting on inland navigation and its role in a more sustainable use of natural resources, which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on October 19th 2016, back-to-back with the 9th edition of quadrennial Conference on Coastal and Port Engineering in Developing Countries (COPEDEC). This position document incorporates substantives comments received from the PIANC experts and includes additional data on inland waterway fleet in the region, analyzed for the classification.