On Thursday, 24 June, the European Commission presented the third part of the NAIADES action plan designed to strengthen the role of inland waterway transport within the European Union (see EUROPE 12626/8).
The EU institution hopes that—besides a transition to zero-emission vessels by 2050—this plan will enable an increase in waterway and short-sea transport by 25% by 2030 and by 50% by 2050.
“Inland waterways have the potential to play a central role in decarbonising our transport systems. Yet today, our canals and rivers carry just 6% of EU freight. With an inland waterway network of 41,000 km spanning 25 Member States, there is scope to do a lot more”, European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean stated in a press release.
“Waterways can help to green the last mile of city logistics”, she added.
Among the 35 points in the action plan, the European Commission intends, inter alia, to encourage investment in clean technologies and boost the attractiveness of jobs in this sector.
In other respects, the European Commission also plans to help waterway managers so as to ensure a high level of service along EU inland waterway corridors by 31 December 2030.
See the European Commission’s action plan: https://bit.ly/3zVUjsX (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)