Instead of developing inland ports and logistics centres, local authorities are under pressure to develop inland waterways for housing and recreation. A toolkit is now available, aimed at helping local authorities make balanced decisions As the European transport system comes under ever-increasing pressure, it is becoming more and more important for all available transport modes to be used in the most efficient way. Freight flows are expected to increase at high levels over the next decade. Studies done on the European Transport Network makes it clear that a co-modal network approach is essential in order to distribute the goods flows on the most effective and efficient way. However, this will not prevent greater congestion on the road and an urgent need for certain parts of the rail network to handle the growing volumes of traffic. The opportunities provided by inland navigation are therefore increasing and political support is growing because of its low external effects. Moreover, since waterways have the capacity to handle considerable additional traffic, there is a good prospect for this mode of transport.
Import role of inland ports
Inland ports are, of course, an essential part of the waterways transport chain using, so the capacity for transhipment needs to be available. These ports provide space for important industrial and logistics activities, thus creating jobs, turnover, profits and welfare. In this respect the inland ports are important contributors to the competitiveness of the European economy. Furthermore, inland ports are also vital elements for a sustainable and efficient transport system. The reason is very simple: without inland ports located along waterways, inland navigation would be economically impossible in many cases. Studies have demonstrated that a key success factor for inland waterway transport is the availability of locations for industries and transhipment centres directly located along rivers and canals. Such favourable transport connections reduce expensive transhipments and pre-/end haulage processes with trucks. Examples include heavy industries, such as steel plants, power supply plants which require huge amounts of coal and ores from seaports to the inland locations. It would be impossible to create an efficient and sustainable transport system based on road haulage for these types of supply chains. But also there are clear examples along smaller waterways, where industries are also highly dependent on inland navigation – for example, agricultural products such as grain or the supply of sand and gravel for local construction works. In addition to production and processing, storage and transhipment are becoming more and more important activities at the various inland ports. In other words, they form multi-mode hubs in the transport chain. Moreover there is a trend towards the growing importance of inland hubs in container logistics, in order to relieve the extreme pressure on the sea terminals (eg Rotterdam and Antwerp). At the moment, there are various extended gate concepts in development that do focus on increased activities in inland hubs (eg customs, consolidation) and will make use of inland navigation in order to serve the hinterland. Important benefits are the avoidance of congestion and low emissions levels of by inland waterway transport compared to road haulage.
The view of local authorities
However, the decision-making process relating to the location of industries and the development of new logistic parks is often a matter for local authorities. Such authorities have to make decisions on the economic and social functions that they would like to develop in the region. Since space is limited – and getting more and more scarce – recreational and residential functions are competing with the industrial and logistic functions that could be deployed at waterside areas. As a result, in many areas in Europe, inland port capacity is under pressure and is becoming a bottleneck for further development and the growth of inland waterway transport.
Balancing Nimby-ism with the local economy
This is a matter of some concern, because local authorities often have a limited view and knowledge regarding inland waterway transport and the added value towards economy and quality of life. This was underlined by the results of a survey done in the Netherlands last year. Seen from this perspective, it is hardly surprising that local politicians are usually in favour of supporting housing projects with a nice view on the waterways. This makes the voters happy and also provides a lot of money for the municipality funds. The drawback is of course the lack of possibilities of inland waterway transport, especially if this results in a “reversed modal shift”. The required space to support industrial and logistic activities is often perceived as a “Not In My BackYard” issue. However, of course a well functioning network of inland ports and waterways is required to enable efficient transport networks with minimised external effects (emissions, congestion, etc.). This results in tensions between those functions; and also tensions between European/national policy and, on the other side, local policy.
Tackling the problem
In the Netherlands there is an initiative ongoing to tackle this problem. NEA Transport Research and Training and Policy Research Corporation have finalised a toolkit for policy makers on a regional and local level. NEA was assigned for this project by the Province of Limburg in August 2007. This toolkit provides a 10-step approach, with instruments to support the analyses and decision-making. The first goal of this toolkit is to create awareness among local authorities about the opportunities, contribution and added value of IWT and inland ports for the region. This is the first step in the toolkit. Next, local authorities are supported by the toolkit to develop a master plan for the port area and to make well balanced decisions together with the key stakeholders. Finally the toolkit pays attention to the implementation and evaluation of such projects. Moreover, The Dutch Ministry of Transport Public Works and Water Management is taking action to boost the awareness of the inland ports and supports actions to be taken by local authorities. There is a budget of €62 million over the next few years available to support ‘Quick-Win’ projects, focusing public investment in inland ports that will result in more transport by inland waterways.
For more information please contact Martin Quispel at NEA on: +31 79 322 2356 or email: mqu@nea.nl. The toolkit (Dutch version only).is available on NEA’s website: http://site.nea.nl/ haven/InstrumentenmapBinnenhavens. pdf