Inland shipping: a climate-friendly solution
The inland shipping sector plays a crucial role in supporting Germany's energy transition, as it offers an eco-friendly alternative to road and rail transport. However, it faces challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, underfunding, and an insufficient recognition of its potential.
At the event “Binnenschifffahrt – Retter des Klimas? Chancen und Lösungen gestalten” (“Inland shipping - savior of the climate? Shaping opportunities and solutions”), hosted by Brunsbüttel Ports, the port operator Sächsische Binnenhäfen Oberelbe, and Hafen Hamburg Marketing, participants highlighted the importance of improving the navigability of the Elbe River and investing in waterway infrastructure to enable consistent economic use.
Inland shipping is especially effective for transporting bulk goods and containers, with significantly lower energy consumption and emissions than other transport modes. Stakeholders called for political action to strengthen the sector, including modernising fleets with eco-friendly technologies, removing bottlenecks along the Elbe, and implementing the binational agreement with Czechia.
They emphasised the need for greater acceptance among shippers and substantial investments to ensure the sector can fulfil its role in sustainable logistics chains, contribute to decarbonisation, and support regional economic growth. (pb)