Waterway transport at a glance
The facts and figures page brings information on the latest market trends, maps and provides key data on the European waterway network, the fleet, environmental benefits and much more.

Sector on the move
Old, but not old-fashioned, moving freight by water has become a modern and integrated transport solution, which is energy efficient and sustainable. Inland waterway transport is a key component of a competitive and innovative economy that cares about the environment and the quality of life of its people. Impressive growth rates are recorded in regional markets, 57% between 1995 and 2005 in flanders, 40% between 1997 and 2005 in France.

Long and short distances
Each year inland waterway transport carries over 485 million tonnes. Inland navigation is the most international of all land transport modes, with over 50% of tonnage being international. Nevertheless, the share of shipments over a distance of 50km and below is rapidly increasing. 

A European wide network
The EU has a waterway network of more than 35,000km covering large to small rivers and canals. From 1994-2004 only 1.5% of the EU trans-European transport budget was allocated to investment in inland waterways .

Small and big ships
Half of this network is accessible to 1,000 tonnes vessels, the equivalent of 40 trucks. The fleet is made up of a variety of vessels with loading capacities from 14 to 500 truckloads.

Contribution to eco-economy
Inland waterway transport is the most environmentally friendly of all land transport modes in terms of total external costs, EUR 10 per 1,000 tonne kilometre. If the cargo shipped by inland waterways was carried by road, emissions to air in Europe would be at least 10% higher. Inland waterway transport is also the safest mode. In the Netherlands, the country with Europe's highest density of waterway traffic, the number of yearly fatalities caused by accidents is near to zero.

Waterway transport creates jobs
In Germany alone some 400,000 jobs directly or indirectly depend on the inland waterway sector and related companies.