Prospects of Inland Navigation in an Enlarged Europe (PINE): Final Report

The common transport policy of the European Union attaches major importance to the development of inland waterways as a mode of transport. Inland waterway transport represents not only a genuine alternative to road transport but also a real possibility of linking up with other modes of transport. Its development may contribute significantly to the attainment of transport policy objectives, in particular shifting the balance between modes of transport and integrating inland waterways into the intermodal transport chain. The enlargement of the European Union as well as the integration of the inland waterway networks in the Accession Countries into the existing Community inland waterway market represent an immense challenge for the Community inland waterway sector in the years ahead. In order to meet these challenges, it was necessary to analyse the existing and future situation and the prospects in the inland waterway sector, in order to enable the common transport policy to develop appropriate medium and long-term measures. Therefore, the Commission decided in 2002 to commit a study on the current situation in the inland waterway sector and future prospects in the enlarged Union.