The Amsterdam Amstel river provided a special transport service last Monday. The first floating swimming pool in the Netherlands was moved by an inland barge to its mooring place at the Oudekerkerdijk. The two reservoirs made of concrete were constructed in the eastern part of the Netherlands and made their way via inland waterways to Amsterdam. [more]

The Amsterdam Amstel river provided a special transport service last Monday. The first floating swimming pool in the Netherlands was moved by an inland barge to its mooring place at the Oudekerkerdijk. The two reservoirs made of concrete were constructed in the eastern part of the Netherlands and made their way via inland waterways to Amsterdam. 

 

The floating swimming pool in Amsterdam is comparable to pools that proved succesful in Paris and Berlin such as the “Badeschiff” on the Spree. The swimming pool, which will be called “BadBuiten” (“bath-outside”)  has a surface of 300 square metres and is 30 metres long, with a second compartment that provides  sanitary facilities. For the transport over the Amstel the shipment had to be split in two parts, in order to be able to pass the locks on the way to the final destination.

During the event “Sail 2010” (19-23 August 2010), BadBuiten will be located in the Amsterdam Zouthaven. Bathing will then be possible from 11am to 11pm.

Source: Nieuwsblad Transport, Editorial: Gert-Jan Muilerman

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In the first half of 2010 3.6 million tons of goods were transported on the river Neckar (Germany), equalling an increase of 343.000 tons (+10.5%) compared to 2009. Transport volumes have almost reached the level shipped before the economic crisis. The Neckar waterway contributes to fight congestion on adjacent highways thereby generating benefits for the regional economy and reducing CO2 emissions. Currently the locks along the river Neckar are extended and transhipment sites modernised in order allow larger vessels to reach the ports of Heilbronn, Stuttgart and Plochingen. [more]

In the first half of 2010 3.6 million tons of goods were transported on the river Neckar (Germany), an increase of 343.000 tons (+10.5%) as compared to 2009. Transport volumes have almost reached the level shipped before the economic crisis. The Neckar waterway contributes to fighting congestion on adjacent highways thereby generating benefits for the regional economy and reducing CO2 emissions. Currently the locks along the river Neckar are being extended and transhipment sites being modernised in order allow larger vessels to reach the ports of Heilbronn, Stuttgart and Plochingen.

Inland waterway transport has a big impact on the economic development of about 70 cities and communities situated along the river Neckar. According to a recent study, one job created in an inland port generates 4 jobs in the hinterland economy. In addition to this economic impact the Neckar also fulfils an important ecological function and provides a recreation area for the people living along the river.

In May and June 2009 the transport volume on the river Neckar increased by more than 30% compared to 2010. The main goods transported were road salt and container transport, which contributed to an overall increase of 343.000 tons (+10.5) in the first half of the year. By the end of the year the transport volume will very likely reach the same level it used to have before the economic crisis.

Source: Schifffahrt-online, Editorial: Simon Hartl

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Based on European legislation dealing with reduction of emissions, especially where inland shipping exhaust gas emissions are concerned a reduction of gas oil sulphur level to a maximum of 10 ppm will be introduced in inland navigation. As per 1 January 2011 the new legislation will be in force. The International Rhine Vessel Register (IVR) investigated its impact from a practical point of view which led to the publication of a detailed report and of a leaflet providing information and recommendations to barge owners. [more]

A reduction of the gas oil sulphur level in fuel to a maximum of 10 ppm will be introduced in inland navigation. This is based on European legislation dealing with reduction of emissions, especially in connection with inland shipping exhaust gas emissions. The new legislation will be in force from 1 January 2011. The International Rhine Vessel Register (IVR) has investigated the impact of this change from a practical point of view and published a detailed report and a leaflet providing information and recommendations to barge owners.

The European Union has adopted directive 98/70/EG dealing with the reduction of emissions, especially where inland shipping exhaust gas emissions are concerned. This directive together with EU Directive 1999/32/EC and 2005/33/EC amendments requires a reduction of gas oil sulphur level in fuel to a maximum of 10 ppm by 1 January 2010 for coastal waters, ports and inland navigation. EU Directive 2009/30/EC of 23 April 2009 has however meant a postponement of implementation until 1 January 2011.

The report makes several recommendations, including:

• Ship owners should, as early as possible, contact engine manufacturers in order to establish whether engine adaptations are required for their engine. 
• Fuel line seals need to be checked frequently with respect to possible leakage due to being affected by low sulphur fuel usage;
• Usage of low sulphur fuel of EN590 specs in view of high spec quality
• Lube oil TBN needs to be balanced with low sulphur fuel usage in consultation with the engine manufacturer and lube oil supplier;
• Frequent lube oil analyses to monitor the effects on low sulphur fuel usage on the engine’s components
• Recording wear and soot deposit at normal overhaul for future references
• Adjustment of exhaust gas /emission treatment plants in consultation with manufacturers where required, is advisable;
• Adjusting of burner flame pipes and boiler adjustments in consultation with boilers manufacturers
• Mixing of different fuels/fuel qualities needs to be avoided and special attention should be paid tofuel quality by means of regular sampling and documentation thereof;
• Creating on board crew awareness on low sulphur fuel risk impact on fuel system components and fuel treatment plants (change-over procedures / mixing / fuel and lube oil quality check especially for seagoing vessels engine) is required.
• The development of one European standard for low sulphur fuel.

For further information and download http://www.ivr.nl/news/37

Source: www.ivr.nl, Editorial: Simon Hartl

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A new website for the promotion of freight transport on the Elbe has been launched. The site, so far only available in German, offers information about the Elbe and its ports, harbours and terminals. The Elbe Promotion Center – which is responsible for the website’s content - is also offering personalised advice to those companies wishing to explore using the Elbe as part of their freight transport chains. [more]

A new website for the promotion of freight transport on the Elbe has been launched. The site, so far only available in German, offers information about the Elbe and its ports, harbours and terminals. The Elbe Promotion Center – which is responsible for the website’s content - is also offering personalised advice to those companies wishing to explore using the Elbe as part of their freight transport chains.

The website offers a series of good arguments for choosing to use inland waterways, both from an environmental and a business point of view. The site also provides information about the types of vessels available for transporting goods on the Elbe, and information on the various ports, harbours and intermodal terminals. There is also contact information for companies wishing to know more.

Link
www.elbpro.com

Source: Elbe Promotion Center, Editorial: Caroline Smith

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Inland Navigation Europe (INE), the European Barge Union (EBU) and the European Skippers Organisation (ESO) have issued a joint statement in which they make it clear that the old ways of doing things will not continue to work. In order to maintain Europe’s competitiveness, new ways have to be explored. [more]

Inland Navigation Europe (INE), the European Barge Union (EBU) and the European Skippers Organisation (ESO) have issued a joint statement in which they make it clear that the old ways of doing things will not continue to work. In order to maintain Europe’s competitiveness, new ways have to be explored.

Europe’s inland waterways provide a ready built mechanism for low carbon and low energy freight transport that links Europe’s main economic centres. Revitalising existing waterways will provide a cost-efficient solution. At the recent transport forum in Leipzig, Commissioner Siim Kallas outlined a vision of a European transport system that is highly integrated, efficient, cross-modal, resilient and low-carbon. This vision can be easily achieved by fast-tracking an emphasis on increased use of inland waterway transport for European freight transport through effective integration with other ways of transport.
Improving waterway infrastructure and its links to other transport modalities is an efficient use of available resources because:

• The waterway transport system is a European core network. All major cities in Europe have waterways and rivers, which are the arteries of a living, breathing multi-functional human heart of consumption. These same waterways form links with major ports, helping to improve Europe’s global competitiveness.
• Developing waterway infrastructure offers excellent return on investment. A recent study showed that inland navigation managed to grow by 14.5 percent, despite low investment as compared to other modalities (NEA 2008).
• The waterway network is an existing network with free capacity – unlike other infrastructure, developing waterways does not require land-take, ensuring that transport can grow without further fragmenting the landscape.
• Inland waterway transport has the lowest external costs of all transport modalities – moving more goods on the waterways will make a substantial contribution to achieving the environmental and quality of life goals of the European Union.

Source: Inland Navigation Europe, Editorial: Caroline Smith

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