Transport by water

Role of waterway transport

Inland waterway transport (IWT) only accounts for 6% of total freight, but a closer look at the figures behind this statistic reveals that inland waterways carry the building blocks of our economy by moving foundational raw materials and semi-finished products – such as steel, chemicals, construction materials, agribulk and renewable fuels – that are indispensable to Europe’s manufacturing base and energy transition goals. These flows are the backbone of the Clean Industrial Deal and essential to a functioning circular economy.

Furthermore, IWT’s unique capacity to handle outsized and exceptionally heavy cargo, including heavy military equipment, gives Europe a logistical asset that road and rail—constrained by weight limits, tunnel profiles and bridge clearances—cannot provide at scale. This makes inland waterways a critical component of Europe’s strategic and defence mobility.

Beyond these unique strengths, inland waterways reinforce the multimodal capacity of the EU transport network. By absorbing high‑volume, heavy‑density flows, they free up capacity on rail and road, reduce congestion, and support a more balanced, resilient and sustainable logistics system.

EU Naiades 3 action programme (2021-2027)

In the EU’s Naiades action programme for 2021-2027, published in June 2021, the European Commission aims to shift more freight to water. The aim is to increase the share of inland waterway transport and short sea shipping by 25% by 2030 and by 50% by 2050. IWT is to move in the direction of emission-free and smart shipping. It should also provide an attractive social and professional working environment.

The European action plan counts 35 actions covering specific inland waterway transport measures and general transport measures such as TEN-T, combined transport, alternative refuelling and state aid, that support the goal of shifting more freight to inland shipping, while working towards a zero-emission and digital transport mode.

EU IWT Policy beyond 2027

The Platina4Action project analysed with its policy modelling tool the effectiveness of the programme. The project’s analysis shows that the current 35 actions are too scattered to deliver meaningful impact. What does drive change are reliable fairway conditions, a resulting higher vessel‑occupancy, and a stable investment climate that supports fleet renewal and innovation. Combined, these factors can lift inland waterway transport (IWT) from a 5% to a 16% modal share.

Two important messages stand out. First, a substantial modal shift toward IWT is entirely achievable. Second, it hinges on a coherent and predictable EU policy framework. An integrated package of regulations and incentives that provides investment certainty—especially in today’s volatile environment—is essential for scaling up IWT and enabling a zero‑emission transition. Internalising CO₂ costs in fuel prices would further strengthen IWT’s competitive position by rewarding its high energy efficiency.

The policy papers that INE and the sector organisations submitted to the Commission underline the same point: IWT can only achieve a zero‑emission transition and deliver its full contribution to a resilient, competitive waterborne system if the EU establishes a unified and predictable policy framework. Consistency across regulation, incentives and funding mechanisms is what creates the stable market conditions needed to shift the sector at scale.

In 2028 the Commission will propose an Action Plan on Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) for the period 2028-2034 focusing on critical challenges to IWT competitiveness, including the modernisation of inland ports, the enhancement of infrastructure resilience, and the adoption of innovative technologies, such as automated systems and zero- or low-emission vessels.

Priorities for INE

The priorities for INE are the actions and instruments that enable waterway authorities to fulfil their mission effectively. Because fragmented or isolated measures dilute impact, the next Action Plan on Inland Waterway Transport (2028–2034) needs to establish coherence across regulation, incentives, and funding. A unified and predictable EU policy framework should cover the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the entire inland waterway and port system. This will ensure that authorities can plan long term, invest strategically, and deliver a waterway transport system that performs as one.