Inland navigation,inland barge transport[1] orinland waterway transport (IWT)[2] is atransport system allowing ships andbarges to use inlandwaterways (such ascanals,rivers andlakes). These waterways haveinland ports,marinas, quays, and wharfs.[3][4][5][6]
| Mode | eurocent pertonne-kilometre |
|---|---|
| Road (LCV) | 35.6 |
| Road (HGV) | 4.2 |
| Rail (diesel) | 1.8 |
| Rail (electric) | 1.1 |
| Inland vessel | 1.9 |
Modern researchers have long recognized that inland navigation is a relatively environmentally friendly option forfreight transport compared to other modes of transportation such asair carriage androad transport, and similar torail freight transport.[1][2][7] Therefore, policy makers have been aiming to shift the volume of cargo transported by more pollutive means towards inland navigation in order to reduce the overallenvironmental impact of transport, for example, as part of theEuropean Green Deal (2019).[2] To accomplish this, however, various challenges need to be tackled, including making inland navigation itself less pollutive than it has been, building larger barges and tows to increase their efficiency, and constructing or improving inland waterwaysnavigable enough for the projected volume and size of ships (deep and wide enough, with mega-locks for differences in elevation) to avoid bottlenecks.[1][7] The environmental effects of constructing, operating and maintaining inland navigation also need to be mitigated.[1]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
