By overlooking inland shipping beyond the main corridors, we risk missing out on untapped economic potential and meaningful societal impact. At InnoWaTr, we proudly target this overlooked segment - because real innovation happens where others aren’t yet looking.
Is a modal shift from road to waterway possible?
Modal split in Europe is heavily geared towards road. Inland waterway transportation (IWT) offers a viable alternative using ample capacity on Europe’s waterways and limiting noise, emissions and other externalities.
Is the 25% GHG reduction in 2030 feasible?
EU targets 25% GHG reduction in 2030, 50% in '50. At current rate, IWT will not achieve this target. Proven solutions to improve IWT performance are available and new solutions are continuously being validated in EU and beyond. They are just not implemented massively. From a technological perspective, reducing footprint by over 50% is no longer hocus pocus.
When it comes to implementation, typically vessel owners are held responsible. Mostly being SME players, heavily dependent on other (freight flow) related stakeholders, and ofter working in short term contracts, IWT entrepreneurs alone are not in the position to fund or convince financiers with long term securities and propositions durable enough to realise innovation alone.
An inspiring strategy for massive follow up
Solutions are mostly there in when it comes to technology, but why are they not finding their way to implementation faster? In particular beyond the main corridors? At InnoWaTr we believe that coalition building is key. We involve technology, but are not technology driven. InnoWaTr introduces a collaborative approach acting as a hands-on and inspiring strategy for massive follow up. The InnoWaTr solution changes focus from IWT entrepreneur alone to a freight flow level, including all relevant stakeholders. Uniting stakeholders in dedicated freight flow coalitions, interests, responsibilities & benefits, costs & benefits are shared, resulting in a proven model approach that works.
InnoWatr validates the approach based on eight identified existing freight flows, incorporating all relevant stakeholders. Along validation of partial solutions as smart mooring, low emission propulsion and data driven optimisation.
And the benefits for you?
At InnoWaTr we want to empower you to revitalise your freight flows. We do so by piloting different solutions and share our expertise, knowledge and experience. Therefore InnoWaTr aims to realise a Centre of Expertise, Meet our Centre of expertise(CoE), among others. The CoE collects easy to use blueprints in form of interviews, stories and strategies as well as data (e.g., from partners) during the course of this project. Therefore, you don´t need to reinvent the wheel: you just replicate our InnoWaTr approach. Our CoE has been designed with “copy-and-paste” in mind. Addressing future partners of waterborne supply chains, it is dedicated to fostering knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation in inland waterway transport. It shall encourage organisations to set up own freight flow coalitions.
So…
Upon completion the project, we will deliver inspiration, guidance, and tools - like the CoE - for others to start freight flow coalitions to tackle local challenges e.g. on improving sustainability.
When after the project, this approach becomes the new standard for effective sustainable IWT innovation, InnoWatr has achieved its goal. IWT will improve competitiveness against lower environmental impact and overdelivers on Fitfor55 targets.