Need for action on waterways infrastructure

North Rhine-Westphalia is considered the leading inland shipping region in Germany, as the majority of goods are transported by water there. The region hosts industrial facilities along the Rhine as well as in the western German canal areas and has the country’s busiest inland ports, as jointly reported by the Association of German Inland Navigation (BDB) and the Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics North Rhine-Westphalia (VSL NRW). However, this form of goods transport faces challenges if the infrastructure is not sufficiently modernized. This was the central topic of the 8th Inland Shipping Forum, which took place last Wednesday in Neuss and was organized by the BDB and VSL NRW.

Need for action on waterway infrastructure

Participants of the forum emphasized the necessity to upgrade the waterway infrastructure to meet the demands of inland shipping. Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur pointed out that inland shipping plays a crucial role for the economic location of North Rhine-Westphalia. It transports large quantities of goods in a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly manner, thus contributing to job creation and supply security.

Nevertheless, Neubaur warned of an impending loss of substance in federal waterways, which remain underfunded. „That is why the state government is actively advocating for more funding for waterways at the federal level and ensuring it is included in the special fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality,“ she explained.

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