11 October 2012: The 56th annual session of the UN Economic Commission for Europe’s (UNECE) Working Party on Inland Water Transport highlighted the need to reduce congestion on European road and rail networks, and discussed barriers to increasing transportation on inland waterways.

The meeting, which convened from 10-12 October 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland, noted that inland waterways offer an environmentally-friendly, reliable, safe and cost-efficient mode of transport for goods, but that currently only 7% of goods are transported on these waterways. To reduce congestion on roads and railroads, participants suggested these waterways could accommodate more shipping traffic, particularly for containerized transport. According to UNECE, transport capacity on the Rhine and Danube rivers, two of the region’s main waterways, could be increased by 50% and more than 80% respectively, without major investments.

At the meeting, UNECE also launched an updated version of the Inventory of Main Standards and Parameters of the pan-European Inland Waterway Network (E Waterways), known as the “Blue Book.” The E Waterway network, which covers all European navigable rivers, canals and ports, is based on the European Agreement on Main Inland Waterways of International Importance (AGN). The AGN has been ratified by 17 UNECE member States. [UNECE Press Release] [Publication: Blue Book] [Meeting Website]