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Sustainability
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Sustainable Transport Using Inland Waterways
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Sustainable Transport Using Inland Waterways

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Transportation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 7135

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Lisa-Maria Putz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Logistikum, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, 4400 Steyr, Austria
Interests: sustainable freight transport; inland navigation; modal shift; awareness for sustainable transport; gamification; inland waterway transport; multimodal transport
Dr. Ioana Bilegan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
LAMIH CNRS UMR 8201, Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, 59313 Valenciennes, France
Interests: revenue management; optimization; planning under uncertainty; intermodal transport modeling; river transportation
Prof. Dr. Edwin Van Hassel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Transport and Regional Economics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Interests: inland navigation; port hinterland transport; ship design and transport modeling
Dr. Agnivesh Pani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Freight Transportation and Logistics, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, Varanasi, India
Interests: freight transportation; logistics; transport planning and behavior

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A modal shift towards inland waterway transport (IWT) is considered a key measure for achieving a sustainable transport system using its potential as an environmentally friendly transport mode. IWT has a very low level of external costs originating from greenhouse gas emissions, noise, accidents, and congestion. IWT is necessary for freight, and people’s transport is a major part of the China’s Green Deal, supported by the Asian Development Bank, as well as the World Bank.

IWT and railway are the inland transport modes with the lowest emissions and external costs compared to road and air transport. In Central Europe, the energy consumption of inland shipping is around 75% lower compared to road transport, which means that inland vessels can transport one ton of cargo almost four times as far as a truck that consumes the same amount of energy. Major economic areas and major cities worldwide relate to inland waterways such as the Rhine, the Danube or the Yangtze River.

Compared to the literature on maritime, road or rail transport, the scientific literature about inland waterway transport is rather scarce. This Special Issue contributes to broadening the existing body of knowledge by presenting the latest comprehensive insights and new developments in the field of IWT. This Special Issue focuses on new developments in the sector of inland waterway transport covering topics from decarbonization measures, infrastructure, impact assessment, logistics regarding awareness and knowledge. Submissions can include, but are not strictly limited to, the following topics:

  • Decarbonization strategies for inland waterway transport (IWT);
  • External costs and impact measurement of IWT;
  • New infrastructural developments in IWT;
  • Innovative solutions for low-water periods;
  • Digitalization and automatization of IWT;
  • Mental shift: awareness and knowledge of IWT;
  • Multimodal supply chains: integration of IWT in logistics chains;
  • Inland ports: sustainable developments and digitalization;
  • Availability of (public) geodata on IWW and IWT facilities;
  • IWT in multimodal routing for transport planning;
  • IWT and the eco-system of rivers;
  • Optimization and decision making in IWT;
  • Intermodality and synchromodality in IWT;
  • Revenue management in IWT.

Prof. Dr. Lisa-Maria Putz
Dr. Ioana Bilegan
Prof. Dr. Edwin Van Hassel
Dr. Agnivesh Pani
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • decarbonization strategies for inland waterway transport (IWT)
  • external costs and impact measurement of IWT
  • new infrastructural developments in IWT
  • innovative solutions for low-water periods
  • digitalization and automatization of IWT
  • mental shift: awareness and knowledge of IWT
  • multimodal supply chains: integration of IWT in logistics chains
  • inland ports: sustainable developments and digitalization
  • IWT in multimodal routing / IWT and GIS data availability
  • IWT and the eco-system of rivers
  • optimization and decision making in IWT
  • intermodality and synchromodality in IWT
  • revenue management in IWT

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 11910 KiB  
Article
Challenges to Accident Prevention for High-Speed Vessels Used in the Brazilian Amazon
by Jassiel V. H. Fontes, Irving D. Hernández, Edgar Mendoza, Rodolfo Silva, Elvis J. O. Santander and Ricardo Almeida Sanches
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10743; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310743 - 7 Dec 2024
Viewed by 573
Abstract
The Brazilian Amazon has one of the largest river networks in the world, connecting riverine communities, many of which have no roadways. The use of high-speed vessels, including those that are locally made, is necessary for the transportation of people to perform their [...] Read more.
The Brazilian Amazon has one of the largest river networks in the world, connecting riverine communities, many of which have no roadways. The use of high-speed vessels, including those that are locally made, is necessary for the transportation of people to perform their day-to-day activities. However, regional news and social media data have shown that these vessels are involved in accidents. This work describes some of the key challenges to improving the sustainability and safety of regional high-speed vessels. Field research was performed in the state of Amazonas to document regional vessels and provide graphic evidence of the possible risk factors that could cause accidents as the path to prevent them. Some risk mitigation alternatives were discussed. Cameras and a drone were used to capture information either from the shore or from small boats. The main challenges are related to the adequate management of seasonal changes in river depths; wave and wind behavior; wave wash effects; the interaction of vessels with rocks, sand banks, mud, and vegetation; embarkation and disembarkation activities; the monitoring and regulation of safety requirements and dangerous operations; and the slowness in implementing technological advances that would improve vessels’ safety. It is hoped that the work in this paper will contribute to improving the sustainability of marine activities in the Amazon and similar regions worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Transport Using Inland Waterways)
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11 pages, 4977 KiB  
Article
New Design Options for Container Barges with Improved Navigability on the Danube
by Bianca Duldner-Borca, Laura Hoerandner, Bernhard Bieringer, Reza Khanbilverdi and Lisa-Maria Putz-Egger
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4613; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114613 - 29 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1090
Abstract
One of the measures set forth by the European Green Deal to decarbonize the freight transport sector is the promotion of inland waterway transport (IWT), and particularly intermodal transport in Europe. To facilitate intermodal transport on the Danube, we developed six new barge [...] Read more.
One of the measures set forth by the European Green Deal to decarbonize the freight transport sector is the promotion of inland waterway transport (IWT), and particularly intermodal transport in Europe. To facilitate intermodal transport on the Danube, we developed six new barge designs for the transport of 45′ pallet-wide high-cube containers using a four-step approach. Our approach consisted of detailed desk research, followed by the design and further analysis of the identified barge types, considering, for example, sightlines and stability. Their container carrying capacity reaches up to 90 containers in three layers, which is double the capacity of existing standard barges on the Danube. Nevertheless, three-layer transport is hardly feasible in several cases, due to restrictions regarding sightlines and stability. We conclude that each loading condition must be evaluated separately to determine the best barge design option for each case. This study is limited by its geographical scope and the type of container used to develop the new barge designs. A possible direction for further research could be using other container types and/or extending the geographical scope to extend the usability of our container barge designs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Transport Using Inland Waterways)
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14 pages, 1300 KiB  
Article
Real-Life Synchromodality Challenges: A Qualitative Study in Flanders
by Mylena Cristine Rodrigues de Jesus, Edwin van Hassel and Thierry Vanelslander
Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16836; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416836 - 14 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1476
Abstract
The search for more sustainable freight transport has been the focus in the last decades. In this way, the concept of synchromodality was built considering the collaboration of shippers and logistic service providers to enable real-time switching between transport modes and mode-free transport [...] Read more.
The search for more sustainable freight transport has been the focus in the last decades. In this way, the concept of synchromodality was built considering the collaboration of shippers and logistic service providers to enable real-time switching between transport modes and mode-free transport bookings, encouraging more flexible and sustainable freight transportation. However, there are several challenges to its implementation in real life, which is the focus of this paper. To achieve this, in addition to a literature study, a case study was conducted in Flanders, using a combination of qualitative methods, i.e., focus groups (FG) and expert interviews, aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Challenges such as real-time decision making, limited infrastructure capacity, and the need for stakeholder collaboration were emphasized. Expert insights highlight the need for a forecast-based approach to facilitate mode shift decisions, particularly from roadway to inland waterway transport (IWT). The analysis underscores the potential benefits of the proposed synchromodal technology while acknowledging the requirements needed to make it real. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Transport Using Inland Waterways)
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12 pages, 976 KiB  
Article
Validation of a Key Performance Indicator Framework Demonstrating Economic Benefits Gained through Resolving Nautical Bottlenecks on Selected Sections of the Danube
by Bianca Duldner-Borca, Edwin van Hassel and Lisa-Maria Putz-Egger
Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16742; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416742 - 11 Dec 2023
Viewed by 991
Abstract
Addressing nautical bottlenecks is crucial for optimizing the utilization of inland waterways and maximizing the economic benefits of transports. To maximize economic benefits, a study was conducted to validate a key performance indicator (KPI)-based framework. This framework offers a structured approach to assessing [...] Read more.
Addressing nautical bottlenecks is crucial for optimizing the utilization of inland waterways and maximizing the economic benefits of transports. To maximize economic benefits, a study was conducted to validate a key performance indicator (KPI)-based framework. This framework offers a structured approach to assessing the impact of resolved nautical bottlenecks on the economic benefits of inland waterway transport (IWT). To validate the applicability of the KPI framework, interviews with eleven experts were conducted. The goal was to prioritize each KPI based on their insights. The results of the interviews shed light on the relevance and coherence of both the individual KPIs and the overall KPI framework. The experts confirmed the importance of measures related to transportation efficiency, such as reduced transit times, increased vessel throughput, and enhanced reliability. The validated KPI-based framework serves as a valuable tool for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers. It enables the assessment of the effects of resolving nautical bottlenecks in inland waterway systems. Future research should focus on quantifying the multifaceted impacts, making this framework even more useful for decision-making processes concerning investments in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Transport Using Inland Waterways)
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Other

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15 pages, 451 KiB  
Systematic Review
Measurement Techniques, Calculation Methods, and Reduction Measures for Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Inland Navigation—A Preliminary Study
by Laura Hörandner, Bianca Duldner-Borca, Denise Beil and Lisa-Maria Putz-Egger
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 3007; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16073007 - 4 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1552
Abstract
Emissions originating from inland navigation should be reduced to achieve climate targets. This paper aims to identify (1) onboard GHG emission measurement systems, (2) calculation methods for GHG emissions of inland vessels and (3) reduction measures. A systematic literature review, examining 6 databases, [...] Read more.
Emissions originating from inland navigation should be reduced to achieve climate targets. This paper aims to identify (1) onboard GHG emission measurement systems, (2) calculation methods for GHG emissions of inland vessels and (3) reduction measures. A systematic literature review, examining 6 databases, yielded 105 initial outcomes, with 17 relevant references. The review reveals a scarcity of studies, with the majority concentrated in Europe and Asia, while North America, Africa, Australia, and South America remain largely unexplored. Four of the seventeen relevant studies focused on real-world GHG emissions measurement. Future research should explore more efficient and calibrated approaches for real-time CO2 insights in inland vessels. In the section on calculating GHG emissions, most papers attempt to adapt the EEDI or EEXI to inland navigation. Reduction measures for GHG emissions concentrate on alternative fuels, like LNG, methanol, hydrogen, or alternative power sources. As the research in this area is limited, prioritizing it in academic discourse is not only essential for advancing our understanding but also imperative for shaping a resilient and environmentally conscious future for inland navigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Transport Using Inland Waterways)
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