20/09/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission approved on Monday 20 September, under State aid rules, support of €11 million to inland waterway freight transport in Italy. This state aid takes the form of direct grants to inland waterway transport companies. It consists of three measures. The first aims to better integrate the inland waterway network in the logistics chains and to increase its competitiveness, efficiency and safety by providing support for the modernisation of vessels. The second measure aims to encourage the entry of new players into the market by providing aid for the purchase of a first vessel. The third measure aims to compensate for part of the additional costs of switching from road to inland waterway transport by partially covering operating costs. (LC)