HPC survey for inland waterways in Europe
(Posted on 13/10/21)
HPC Hamburg Port Consulting, the leading logistics consultancy for ports, maritime and inland terminals as well as intermodal rail transport, has been commissioned by the German Directorate-General for Waterways and Shipping (GDWS) to conduct a study on information services for ports and terminals. The analysis is being carried out as part of a European project aimed at developing a digitalisation strategy for freight transport on continental Europe’s inland waterways.
As the central federal authority of the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration, the GDWS is participating in the "Digitalisation of Inland Waterways" (DIWA) project, which is funded by the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme and involves four other national inland waterway authorities: the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Austria. The project aims to develop a common, integrated strategy for the digitalisation of the inland waterways of the TEN-T corridors, making the transport mode more competitive and sustainable in the long term.
"We at GDWS are pleased that, together with our European project partners, we will be able to help shape the future of European inland waterway transport and to contribute to this environmentally friendly mode yielding an even better performance," say Thomas Wagner, Head of Department for Inland Transport Engineering and Tobias Aretz, National DIWA Coordinator (both GDWS).
As part of the business process developing a framework for the DIWA master plan, HPC has been commissioned to explore the information services for ports and terminals. The focus will be on building an inventory of the data inter-faces between inland navigation operators and European ports, as well as the IT system landscape. The aim is to determine the existing level of digital maturity and future potential with regard to the digitalisation of the processes engaging ports and inland navigation.
"Against the background of the heavy utilisation of road and railway systems, the integration of inland navigation into the overall development of intermodal transport concepts is very welcome, " says Hartmut Beyer, authorised signatory at HPC. He is convinced that "The digital transformation of the inland waterways network will significantly increase the attractiveness of the mode for customers. At HPC, we are very pleased to be able to input into the strategic development of this important trans-European project with our combined port and IT know-how."
HPC has many years of experience in this sector and has advised national and international inland ports on operational issues, analyses and digitalisation projects. For example, HPC supports the Hamburg Vessel Coordination Center HVCC in optimisation and coordination of maneuvering when feeder vessels and larger ships meet in restricted parts of the Elbe or in port.
In addition, HPC has successfully implemented digitalisation and inland navigation projects for operators on the Rhine, in India and the USA.
HPC is an active member of the Inland Vessel Working Group of Hamburg Hafen Marketing. The working group aims to strengthen the role of inland navigation in the Port of Hamburg.
Latest News
Métivier appointed President and CEO of Trois-Rivières Port Authority
(Posted on 11/11/25)The Trois-Rivières Port Authority (TRPA) in Canada has announced the appointment of Mr. Anick... Read more
Automated pulp handling boosts efficiency and safety at Rauma terminal
(Posted on 10/11/25)Euroports commitment to continuously improving operational efficiency, enhancing workplace safety, and... Read more
Bilbao forges closer ties with the COSCO Group
(Posted on 10/11/25)Under the slogan ‘Your Intermodal Link Between China, Iberia and the Atlantic Markets,’... Read more
Hamburg promotes international exchange in China
(Posted on 10/11/25)Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM) continues to strengthen its successful cooperation with Chinese port... Read more
Rotterdam throughput falls in first nine months of 2025
(Posted on 04/11/25)Total throughput in the port of Rotterdam fell slightly by 2.6% in the third quarter of 2025 compared... Read more
Bayan, Indonesia, reaches 100,000 operating hours
(Posted on 04/11/25)E-Crane Asia has announced a major milestone achieved by Bayan in Indonesia: the company’s three... Read more
Teesport automated weighbridges boost bulk cargo efficiency
(Posted on 27/10/25)PD Ports has successfully introduced fully automated weighbridge systems at Teesport and Hartlepool,... Read more
Mixed picture for Antwerp-Bruges in volatile trade climate
(Posted on 24/10/25)In the first nine months of 2025, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 202.6 million tonnes of maritime goods... Read more
NPRC presents strategic course at 90th anniversary assembly
(Posted on 20/10/25)The 90th General Assembly of the inland shipping cooperative NPRC has highlighted the importance of... Read more
Bilbao leads in transparency among Spanish ports
(Posted on 17/10/25)The Bilbao Port Authority has obtained the highest score in the second evaluation of the Mandatory Information... Read more
