Statement by EBU President Paul Goris at the IWT event under German EU Presidency, 20 November 2020

Inland Waterway Transport pays an important contribution to deliver the future policy, mobility and climate goals - November 24, 2020 The sector previously welcomed the European Green Deal, in particular its aims to reduce transport emissions by shifting a substantial part of the freight carried by road today to inland waterway transport (IWT) and rail. IWT disposes over free capacities on the European network of waterways and already today has very low CO2 emissions compared to road. IWT thus substantially can contribute to realize the European Green Deal. IWT AS ENABLER TO DELIVER THE GREEN DEAL Inland Waterway Transport is known as an energy efficient, safe and sustainable alternative to other modes and contributes to decongesting overloaded road and rail networks for goods and people. A better integration of inland navigation into transport chains improves the efficiency of the entire European transport network. Europe’s new industrial future and circular economy heavily relies on inland waterway transport as a transport mode. By shifting higher volumes to inland waterway transport, it can substantially contribute to realise the European Green Deal. The IWT is prepared to take over much higher volumes and to substantiallyincrease its share in the coming years. COVID-19 AND RECOVERY STRATEGY Inland waterway transport in the past months seriously was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The socioeconomic impact of the crisis is vast and will have a long-term impact on the sector. As one of the essential and vital sectors for society and industry, inland waterway transport continued itsservices during the pandemic as much as possible. At the same time inland waterway transport is in full transition to attract new market segments and adapt to climate change. This requires a lot of flexibility, creativity and financial effort from the sector. On top of this, the pandemic led thepassenger sector (day trip and cruising) into a full collapse in a couple of days and it is estimated that freight activities, mainly in the dry bulk segment, will be heavily affected. A possible reduction of transport activity of at least 25 % is estimated, based on GDP forecasts for the EU for 2020, and bycomparing the drop in GDP and in goods transport during the financial crisis in 2009 with the GDP forecast for 2020. The recent developments certainly will lead to a paradigm shift. Society and industry will have to face the impact of the pandemic in relation to the objectives of the Green Deal and climate change and take responsibility in each part of the chain. Decision makers are expected to facilitate thisdevelopment with appropriate and long-term oriented measures. The European Council in its conclusions of 21 July on the RECOVERY PLAN AND MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK (MFF) FOR 2021-2027 acknowledged that the COVID-19 crisis presents Europe with a challenge of historic proportions and therefore adopted a financial recovery plan withan emphasise to mitigate the socio-economic damage. The IWT sector welcomes these conclusions and the current agreement between Council and Parliament on the MFF. The full press release can be accessed here Source: European Barge Union

Statement by EBU President Paul Goris at the IWT event under German EU Presidency, 20 November 2020

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Statement by EBU President Paul Goris at the IWT event under German EU Presidency, 20 November 2020

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All news

New Caspian ferry line Turkmenbashi-Olya might finally launch

Kazakhstan’s ports handled 6.2 mln tonnes of cargo in Jan-Oct’24

DFDS bought Ekol Logistics at the end

Two cocaine shipments, 720 kg and 720 kg, seized in Vlissingen port

Malta sees reduced cruise ship passengers in Q3 2024

Our Expert Analysis

Latest Free Reads

Top Ports