HGK Shipping is advocating for a significant overhaul of the European inland shipping fleet. The company proposes a comprehensive European fleet renewal program aimed at constructing up to 1,000 new, energy-efficient inland vessels by 2035. These new ships would be specifically designed and optimized to operate effectively even during periods of extremely low water levels, a growing concern for inland navigation.
This initiative comes in response to the increasing frequency of low water events on major European rivers, which severely disrupt inland waterway transport. Current vessels often face capacity restrictions or are unable to sail at all during such periods, leading to supply chain delays and increased reliance on other transport modes.
For freight forwarders and logistics managers, this proposed fleet renewal could significantly enhance the reliability and resilience of inland waterway transport. Improved low-water capabilities would reduce the risk of delays and diversions, offering more predictable transit times and potentially stabilizing costs associated with inland legs of multimodal shipments. It could also alleviate pressure on road and rail networks during periods of river disruption. The long-term impact would be a more robust and environmentally friendly inland shipping sector.
