Debate: Towards future-proof inland waterway transport in Europe
Date: MONDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Nicolas Schmit
Language: EN

Today’s share of inland waterways in freight movement across the EU stands just above 6%. The Green Deal communication calls for a substantial part of the 75% of inland freight transport carried by road to be shifted to inland navigation and rail, and for measures to increase the capacity of inland navigation from 2021. With that in mind, the Commission adopted on 24 June an ambitious new NAIADES programme – the Inland Navigation Action Plan for 2021—2027 – which is aligned to the new Multiannual Financial Framework. It builds on the December 2019 recommendations of the NAIADES Expert Group and shares the objectives laid out in our Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy.  The NAIADES III Action Plan focuses on two core objectives: shifting more freight transport to inland waterways and setting the sector on an irreversible path to zero emissions. This must be underpinned by a paradigm shift towards further digitalisation, as well as accompanying measures to support the current and future workforce.  I am pleased to see that our reports are aligned on objectives, but also on many of the proposed measures – from supporting the development of multimodal nodes and interoperable data platforms, to accelerating the rollout of sustainable alternative fuels, and alternative propulsion systems for vessels, but also on the need to better mobilise and combine existing EU and national financing instruments, as well as other private and public investments, to support the many smaller private vessel operators in the sector to access financial support for the transition to a zero—emission fleet.  Substantive action is also needed to reduce the overlapping legal frameworks in order to improve operating conditions. Over 75% of inland navigation in the EU involves cross—border transport, so EU coordinated actions are needed to reinforce the EU single market. Over the years, different rules have been developed for various international basins. EU actions will result in fewer barriers, better cross—border traffic and wider EU digital and environmental harmonisation, and this will then clear the way for inland navigation to claim a larger share of travelling individuals and goods.  Of course, like all other sectors of the economy, inland waterway transport has felt the impact of the COVID—19 crisis. The pandemic is estimated to have cost the sector around EUR 2.7 billion in lost turnover in 2020 due to a 70% reduction in passenger transport and an 8% reduction in freight transport. It is nonetheless worth noting that the sector proved to be more COVID—19 resilient for the transport of goods – an aspect worth taking into account when developing future transport crisis contingency strategies.  Maximising the potential of inland waterway transport and meeting the core objectives set out in the NAIADES Action Plan will require an integrated approach and a basket of measures incorporating transport, environmental, digital skills, energy and fiscal policies, backed up with financial incentives.  A stronger inland navigation sector also needs to be able to offer quality jobs, career opportunities and high social, safety and security standards to attract well—trained people. The proposed actions will ensure smart and flexible EU crewing rules and provide inland transport crews with adequate working conditions and the right skills to deal with the green and digital transition, among other things.  The Commission encourages the EP to help us make sure that Europe’s inland waterway transport network is fit for the future. We need not only to overcome the challenges ahead, but also raise the profile of our inland waterway transport network while increasing its attractiveness for investors and for innovation.