## 3 Materials and Methods  
According to [PERSON] [29], this case study research includes the formulation of a hypothesis, the collection of necessary data, its analysis, and the drawing of conclusions. Thus, a case study comprises four steps (Figure 1). A flowchart identifying the different stages in the research methodology is presented in Figure 2.  
Figure 1: Steps of a case study.  
Figure 2: Flowchart of the research methodology.  
To achieve the purpose of this study, the research field has to be determined. Different foci such as geographical, temporal, material, and modal are considered. Geographically (where?), we focus on the area along the Dnieper Basin. This is the main waterway of Ukraine. The temporal focus looks for an answer to the question \"when?\". The IWT is outlined up to its current state. We also focus on the future. As to the material focus, we investigate the energy efficiency of IWT. Further, and finally the modal focus (How?)--we use a number of indicators such as traction efficiency, specific energy consumption, actual energy consumption.  
This study begins by identifying the export potential of the regions that are located in the Dnieper Basin. This step is necessary to determine the volume of shipments to seaports, and consequently, the potential volume of inland waterways transportation. That is why the market potential for inland shipping for the Dnieper basin is estimated. We used official statistical information to determine grain and sunflower seed production history, their export history. This information allows us to find the export potential of regions located in the Dnieper Basin. Based on statistical data, the current status of IWT as a transport facility for agricultural products is determined.  
Energy efficiency is determined for road, railway, and IWT. To compare different kinds of transport, we used such indicators as specific energy consumption, traction efficiency, and actual specific energy consumption. Railway, road, and IWT specific energy consumption are combined with tkm data, allowing the calculation of energy intensities for freight activity. Data from the specification of transport means (self-propelled vessels, barges, tugs, and pushers) are taken to determine the energy indicators from the specification. To find actual energy consumption, statistical yearbooks are used (carriage of goods and consumption of fuels). When transport companies do not report any energy consumption, we calculated this indicator using technical data of transport facilities. Actual specific energy consumption is the total energy consumption to the carriage of goods:  
\[AEC=\sum_{i=1}^{n}(EC_{i})\cdot OE\cdot ACG^{-1},\ \text{kJ}/\text{tkm}, \tag{1}\]  
where \(OE\) is the oil equivalent, \(OE\) = 41,800 kJ/kg; \(ACG\) is the carriage of goods tkm; \(EC_{i}\) is the fuel consumption of \(i\)th kind, kg of oil equivalent.  
Theoretical minimum specific energy consumption (loaded voyage) is:  
\[SECT=LF\cdot RP\cdot be\cdot LHV\cdot\left(LC\cdot v\right)^{-1},\ \text{kJ}/\text{tkm}, \tag{2}\]  
where \(LC\) is the cargo capacity, t; \(LF\) is the load factor; \(RP\) is the rated power, kW; \(be\) is the specific fuel consumption, kg/kWh; \(LHV\) is the lower heating value of fuel, kJ/kg; \(v\) is the speed, km/h.  
Traction efficiency can be found as cargo carried to a rated power ratio:  
\[CCPR=LC\cdot RP^{-1},\ \text{t/kW}. \tag{3}\]