At the core of the IW-NET concept are seven IWT Modal Shift Enablers (MSEs), each motivated by different IW geographical or market settings and aligned with the IW-NET Innovation Framework. These MSEs are supported by an Open IWT support Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and are turned into formal MSE requirements specifications and simulation-based designs.

The MSEs address various aspects of the IWT business model, including sustainable cooperation between suppliers and consumers of IWT services, data-driven collaborative optimization of IWT operations, improved navigability under variable conditions with innovative vessel designs, collaborative berth planning and shore power utilization, advanced location accuracies via GALILEO services, and innovative IW fleet for urban distribution, including autonomous navigation and platooning.

IW-NET develops cloud-deployed, flexible, and low-cost solutions for improving the accuracy, reliability, resilience, responsiveness, adaptability, and agility of IWT processes. These enablers are initially studied by simulation and subsequently specified and represented in an IWT Innovation Framework.

IW-NET provides an innovative approach to improving inland navigation in Europe. By addressing key challenges and leveraging emerging technologies, the project has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability of IWT services. It fosters a modal shift towards IWT as a sustainable transport mode and thus supports the EC’s ambitions to reduce CO2 emissions from logistics operations. Furthermore, it facilitates smooth and efficient integration of IWT in multimodal transport chains, and improves the IWT chains’ resilience.

The Living Lab will apply user-centered application scenarios in important TEN-T corridors, demonstrating and evaluating the impacts in simulations and tests covering technological, organisational, legal, economical, ecological, and safety/security issues:

1) Digitalisation: optimised planning of barge operations serving dense urban areas with predictive demand routing (Brussels-Antwerp-Courtrai-Lille-Valenciennes); data driven optimisation on navigability in uncertain water conditions (Danube).

2) Sustainable Infrastructure and Intelligent Traffic Management: lock forecasting to reduce uncertainty in voyage planning; lock planning; management of fairway sections where encounters are prohibited; berth planning with mandatory shore power supply and other services (hinterland of Bremerhaven via Weser/Mittelland Canal).

3) Innovative vessels: new barge designs that fit corridor conditions and target markets: barges with a high degree of automation for urban distribution (East Flanders-Ghent); new barge for push boats capable with low/high water levels optimising capacities (Danube from Austria to Romania); use of GALILEO services for advanced driver assistance like guidance, bridge height warning and automatic lock entering (Spree-Oder waterway close to Berlin).

Accompanying activities are stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and a delivery of the European IWT development roadmap with policy recommendations for increasing the IWT share.

Project information:
Grant agreement ID: 861377
Start-end date: 1 May 2020 – 30 April 2023

• Funded under – H2020-EU.3.4
  Overall budget – € 8 302 733,75
  EU contribution – € 8 302 733,75
• Coordinated by the Institut fur Seeverkehrswirtschaft und Logistik (Germany)