Inland Waterway Transport: Challenges and prospects (Routledge Studies in Transport Analysis)

Inland waterways are a host for a mode of transport that is not as visible to the general public or as used as it once was. It is, however, generally perceived to be very important to our freight transport system today, although a closer look into the inland waterway transport system rebuts this perception and reveals the strengths and opportunities of this mode of transportation. This book gives the reader a thorough understanding of the current role of inland waterway transport as a freight transport system and its conditions. Drawing on case studies from across Europe, this text explores the economic, logistic, and technological and policy issues related to inland waterway transport and the challenges that changes in these areas present to this transport mode. It also explores the strategies for the inland waterway transport sector to secure and then enlarge its role in the future of freight transport. Inland Waterway Transport will be an invaluable source for students and researchers of transport studies. In addition, the book will be useful to policymakers and practitioners involved in its development. It may also appeal to wider readers with an interest in the fascinating business of inland waterway transport. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Information 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 List of Figures 9 List of Tables 12 Notes on Contributors 14 1 Inland waterway transport: An overview 18 1.1 Introduction 18 1.2 Waterways: a precondition for inland waterway transport 20 1.3 Transport performance 22 1.3.1 Traffic: tonnes and tonne kilometres 22 1.3.2 Modal shares 24 1.4 Important cargo flows for IWT 26 1.5 Emerging markets: container transport 26 1.6 Added value to society 29 1.6.1 Direct merits 29 1.6.2 Indirect merits 29 Notes 32 References 33 2 The economic performance of inland waterway transport 35 2.1 Demand and supply of inland waterway transport 35 2.1.1 Demand for IWT 35 2.1.2 Supply of IWT 36 2.1.3 Transport performance measurement options 36 2.2 The role of costs and quality performance in IWT 38 2.2.1 Decision-making in favour of IWT 38 2.2.2 Costs of IWT 40 2.2.3 Example of investment in an additional lock combined with a canal enlargement 40 2.2.4 Maintenance example 41 2.2.5 Cost of operation of the IWT service 42 2.3 Competitiveness of IWT with different transport modes and in different markets (dry bulk, liquid bulk, containers, ... 43 2.3.1 Distortions in competition 43 2.3.2 Cost comparison between IWT and rail and road transport 44 2.3.2.1 A short description of cost structure: rail transport + cost levels 44 2.3.2.2 A short description of cost structure: road transport + cost levels 45 2.3.2.3 Competitiveness in different market segments 45 2.3.2.3.1 Dry bulk 46 2.3.2.3.2 Liquid bulk: petroleum and chemical industry 48 2.3.2.3.3 Containers 48 2.4 Major drivers to improve competitiveness 49 References 50 3 The role of inland waterway transport in the changing logistics environment 52 3.1 Definition of the logistics environment of inland waterway transport 53 3.1.1 Logistical features of inland waterway transport 53 3.1.2 Criteria relevant to logistical decision-makers 56 3.1.3 General logistics trends 58 3.2 Integration of IWT into logistics chains 64 3.2.1 Definition of the logistics chain 64 3.2.2 Information and communication processes in IWT: perspectives on process levels 67 3.2.3 Information and communication processes in IWT: perspectives on stakeholder levels 70 3.2.3.1 IWT operators 71 3.2.3.2 Inland port and terminal operators 72 Business example 72 3.2.3.3 Logistics service providers 73 3.3 Outlook: opportunities and challenges for IWT in logistics 75 3.3.1 Market opportunities for IWT 75 3.3.2 Legal conditions, frameworks and limitations 80 Abbreviations 83 Notes 84 References 84 4 Managing capacity in the inland waterway sector: To intervene or not to intervene? 88 4.1 Rationale and setting 88 4.2 Supply and demand characteristics of the IWT sector 90 4.2.1 Dry cargo sector 90 4.2.2 Tank barge sector 92 4.3 Reduction of IWT barge capacity 95 4.3.1 Self-propelled dry cargo IWT market 95 4.3.1.1 Scrapping and exporting dry cargo capacity 95 4.3.1.2 Laying up vessels 97 4.3.1.3 Operational adjustments 97 4.3.2 IWT tanker barge market 98 4.3.2.1 Scrapping and exporting tank barges 98 4.3.2.2 Lay-up of vessels 98 4.3.2.3 Operational adjustments 100 4.4 The lack of bankruptcies 100 4.5 Which government actions were taken in the past? 105 4.5.1 Interventions in the market before the old-for-new and demolition rules 105 4.5.2 Scrapping actions 106 4.5.3 Old-for-new 107 4.5.4 Lessons learnt from history 108 4.6 The way forward: how to control capacity? 109 4.7 Conclusions 112 Notes 112 Bibliography 113 5 Existing waterway infrastructures and future needs 116 5.1 Introduction 116 5.2 Inland waterway characteristics 116 5.2.1 Maximum available water depth and allowed draught for inland vessels 117 5.2.2 Allowable length and beam for inland vessels 117 5.2.3 Height constraints for inland vessels 119 5.2.4 Different wind, wave and current conditions 121 5.2.5 Other specific conditions for inland waterway transport 121 5.3 West European IWT system 121 5.3.1 History of the West European inland waterway system 123 5.3.2 Classification of inland waterways 125 5.3.3 Issues with the present classification system 127 5.4 Trends affecting the IWT system 129 5.4.1 Development of new transport infrastructure networks 129 5.4.2 Development of continental container transport 131 5.4.3 Other important trends that affect the IWT system 132 5.5 Developing future-proof infrastructures 136 5.5.1 There is no universal design standard for IWT systems 136 5.5.2 Create sufficient economies of scale 136 5.5.3 Be aware of complications when upgrading the system 137 5.5.4 Take different characteristics of bulk and container cargoes into account 137 5.5.5 Compatibility of high cube, pallet-wide, and 45 ft containers 137 5.5.6 Be prepared for continental container transport 138 5.5.7 Anticipate changing user requirements on small inland waterways 138 5.5.8 Anticipate the development of wider vessels on the Rhine 139 Notes 139 References 140 6 Inland river ports 142 6.1 Defining inland ports 142 6.2 Inland ports, the role of bulk cargoes 143 6.3 Inland ports, new traffic 148 6.3.1 Heavy lift goods and roll-on roll-off (roro) 148 6.3.2 Containers: the Rhine 149 6.3.3 Containers: the Yangtze 152 6.3.4 Containers: Mississippi and St Lawrence-Great Lakes 154 6.4 Conclusions 155 References 156 7 Developments in inland waterway vessels 159 7.1 Inland vessels around the world 159 7.1.1 Inland vessel fleets per region 159 7.1.2 Aspects that drive the choice for a type of vessel 161 7.1.3 Types of transported cargo 163 7.2 Innovation characteristics and innovation adoption in inland vessel design 165 7.2.1 Conditions and impediments for successful innovation in IWT 166 7.2.2 The goals of technical innovation in inland vessels 167 7.3 The most influential innovations and developments of recent years 170 7.3.1 Cost reduction 170 7.3.2 Improvement of environmental performance 174 7.3.3 Dedicated vessels for niche markets 178 7.3.3.1 Geared container vessels 178 7.3.3.2 Transport of palletized cargoes 178 7.3.3.3 Transport of flour 180 7.3.3.4 Transport of aircraft segments 180 7.3.3.5 Transport of vehicles 180 7.4 Impacts of these developments on the competitiveness of IWT 180 References 182 8 A new wave for the inland waterways: Palletized goods 185 8.1 Pallets on the inland waterways? 187 8.2 Market evolution 191 8.3 Location Analysis Model for Barge Transport Of Pallets 197 8.4 Conclusion 200 Notes 201 Bibliography 202 9 Policies for inland waterway transport: Needs and perspectives 205 9.1 European IWT master policy programme: an overview 206 9.2 An approach for the evaluation of European IWT policy needs and perspectives 207 9.3 Findings of the European IWT policy evaluation 209 9.3.1 Intervention 1: Quality infrastructure – maintenance and improvements of waterway network / TEN-T development 209 9.3.2 Intervention 2: Quality through innovation 212 9.3.3 Intervention 3: Smooth functioning of the market 213 9.3.3.1 Harmonization of IWT operational conditions 213 9.3.3.1.1 Equal technical requirements for inland waterway vessels 214 9.3.3.1.2 Equal regulations for working circumstances on IWT vessels 215 9.3.3.1.3 Equal fiscal regimes 216 9.3.3.1.4 Internalization of external costs 216 9.3.3.2 Matching supply and demand in IWT 217 9.3.3.3 Further development of inland ports 220 9.3.4 Intervention 4: Environmental quality through low emissions 220 9.3.4.1 Energy efficient IWT operations 220 9.3.4.2 Development of emission standards 221 9.3.4.3 Anticipation of climate change 223 9.3.5 Intervention 5: Skilled workforce and quality jobs – employment and education in the IWT sector 224 9.3.5.1 Employment in the IWT sector 224 9.3.5.2 Education of IWT staff 227 9.3.6 Intervention 6: Integration of IWT into the multimodal logistic chains 228 9.4 Conclusion 229 Notes 231 References 233 Index 235 Challenges and prospects