Fast Facts

Inland waterway transport is the perfect mode for all kind of goods because it is above all reliable, operates just in time and has a lot of free capacity. Success stories from all over Europe prove the advantages of transporting goods on Europe’s integrated network of rivers and canals.

The European Union has committed itself to pursue the goal of shifting transport to less energy-intensive, cleaner and safer transport modes. Inland waterway transport is an obvious choice to play a more prominent role in reaching these targets. Concrete measures are needed to fully exploit the market potential of inland navigation and to make its use more attractive. Given that inland navigation is often a cross-border transport mode, action at both national and Community level is required.

Thus the European Commission adopted an action programme on the promotion of inland waterway transport called NAIADES (Navigation and Inland Waterway Action and Development in Europe). The programme includes recommendations for action to be taken between 2006 and 2013 by the European Community, its Member States and other parties concerned. The implementation of the programme shall be carried out in close co-operation with national and regional authorities, River Commissions, as well as the European inland waterway transport sector.

Alongside NAIADES, targeted initiatives are launched on the European level to assist inland waterway transport in unfolding its full potential and to provide favourable framework conditions for this particular mode of transport. These initiatives comprise of legal measures, in-depth scientific studies and development projects.