Holistic corridor perspective development vital for border-crossing

(Posted on 08/06/18)

Development of transport corridors ensures smart and innovative cross-border transport and logistics services on the core transport network of the Baltic Sea Region.

The ways to develop the smart North Sea–Baltic, Baltic–Adriatic and Scandinavian–Mediterranean Core Network Corridors in the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 were discussed in Tallinn earlier this week. The seminar “Delivering Smart and Innovative Strategic Transport Projects: post-2020 perspective” was organized as a part of the 9th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). The seminar was hosted jointly with the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania and Mr. Algirdas Šakalys, Coordinator of the Transport Policy Area of the EUSBSR, as well as the EUSBSR Flagship project EMMA, which aims at enhancing inland navigation in the Baltic Sea Region.

The North Sea–Baltic, Baltic–Adriatic and Scandinavian–Mediterranean Corridors provide a policy framework for the implementation of the Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) network in the area. A holistic corridor perspective is essential to develop and execute smooth transport, particularly when it comes to inland waterway transport. Inland shipping is often border-crossing transport and the weakest stretch of the transport route has considerable effects on the overall competitiveness of inland navigation. TEN-T corridors do not cover all relevant inland waterways in Europe and therefore it is particularly important to ensure the connection between inland waterways in the Baltic Sea Region and TEN-T.

The deployment of new technologies and innovations on regional transport network will enhance the overall efficiency of the TEN-T network in the Baltic Sea Region. New technologies and innovations will contribute to territorial cohesion and sustainable growth as well as EU’s green transport policy, in which inland waterway transport could play an even more important role in future.

Gunnar Platz, Project Manager of Interreg Baltic Sea Region Project EMMA, stressed the importance of TEN-T corridors and the role inland waterway transport could play in the Baltic Sea Region.

“A clear strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is needed to lift inland waterway transport (IWT) potential. IWT must be integrated in multimodal logistic solutions”, said Platz, Managing Director of PLANCO Consulting.

Project EMMA has identified several measures that would help to lift IWT potential in the region. These include for instance harmonized national rules and regulations, a clear strategy for the uptake of alternative fuel technology, a clear Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) strategy based on RIS and VTS services, and investments to strengthen and modernize infrastructure both on shore and on board. In addition, the establishment of European Inland Waterway Transport Knowledge Platform would combine knowledge and experience and share it within the sector.

Latest News

Singapore and Rotterdam to establish world’s longest Green and Digital Shipping Corridor

An MoU signed by Ms. Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port... Read more

JV to co-develop rail and port for Simandou iron ore project in Guinea

The government of the Republic of Guinea, Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) and Rio Tinto Simfer has... Read more

Angolan Government awards Lobito Corridor railway concession tender

The Ministry of Transport of the Government of Angola has announced the award of the concession tender... Read more

Castaloop expands ops at new Illinois terminal

Castaloop USA, Inc., a subsidiary of Logistec Stevedoring Inc., have announced the opening of a new... Read more

TBA and Peel Ports extend 23-year relationship

TBA Group is pleased to announce that Peel Ports Group have signed a framework agreement that will see... Read more

North Sea Port sees transhipment rise by 10%

In the first quarter of 2022, the businesses in North Sea Port recorded 37.5 million tons of seaborne... Read more

Duisport and Amsterdam join forces to develop green network

Port of Amsterdam and duisport will expand their long-lasting cooperation, as Markus Bangen, CEO at... Read more

AD Ports to acquire majority stakes in Transmar and Transcargo International

AD Ports Group, the vertically integrated trade enabler, has announced that it has reached an agreement... Read more

New Cargill waste-based biodiesel plant at North Sea Port

Cargill has opened its first state-of-the-art biodiesel plant that converts waste oils and fats into... Read more

Collaboration between Rotterdam and Baie-Comeau ports

The port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands and the Port of Baie Comeau in Canada have agreed to jointly... Read more