"The impact of competition, business models, infrastructure investment and public owned
hinterland ports for the development of inland
navigation“
by Boris Kluge,German Promotion Center for Intermodal
Transport
Inland Waterways
• As alternative to road and rail transport of container
• Crucial part of European transport infrastructure
• Support the European industry in the global competition
• UNECE member states have important role
• Duty to guarantee fair competition and indiscriminate access to inland waterways
• Support business developments and develop inland waterway infrastructure where demanded
deepening waterways extensions of locks investment in new generation of inland vessels
Ownership of inland ports
• Ownership of inland ports by communities, countries or regions should be seen as a great advantage
• Mixed-up of handling of container, bulk cargo and liquid cargo
• Sustainable financial background by state authorities
• Availability of real estate for settlement of industry (shipper) with intermodal access
• UNECE member states can support this model
• But operations of ports can be privatized
Inland port operator
• Competition of operators of inland ports and navigation with low prices and flexible offers
• Wide range of operators of navigation and ports with different business models
• Successfully integrate additional parts of supply chain
• Value Added Services like stuffing, stripping, repairing, customs declaration etc.
• Benefits for their customers
• One-hand-service or one-stop-service
Inland port operator
• Two typical approaches for inland ports :
• Stand-alone port operator to mostly exclusively service for their regional intermodal transport partners (duisport)
• Networks of inland ports and navigation to provide synergies for productivity and efficiency (neska)
• Both approaches are sufficient and necessary
• Other approaches as well important
• Cooperation with seaports at eye level
• Ocean Carrier , 3Pl and seaports like to control the supply chain
• For protection for M&A – Inland port public ownerships is vital
UNECE support
• Improving of inland waterways according the AGCT standards
• Privatize inland port operators (not ownership)
• Deregulate inland navigation operation on inland waterways
• Enhance investments in logistic affine real estate in inland ports
• If appropriate safe port ownership for M&A