Background

This hybrid event will take place on 20-24 March 2023 in Brussels. Participants can join the event in person or virtually to better understand the role, contribution, and potential of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) towards a greener, more resilient, and integrated European transport system. The event comprises a series of insightful and thought-provoking events designed to showcase solutions that promote sustainable transport, reduce CO2 emissions, and enhance the competitiveness of IWT. You can choose to attend all events of the “Inland Navigation Week 2023” or select only the specific ones that interest you.

Time and place

When: 20-24 March 2023

Where: Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, Rue du Progrès, 56, Brussels 1210 & Online (MS Teams).

The access plan can be found HERE.

Target audience

This event targets policymakers, regulators, industry experts and representatives, economic operators and anyone interested in the potential of IWT to become a key partner in Europe’s green, resilient, and integrated transport system.

The discussions will be focused on the following topics:

20.03 (Monday): 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗲𝘁 and 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽

• An overview of the challenges in the transition towards zero emission
• Technical comparison of alternative energy sources we talk about today (methanol, hydrogen, biofuels, etc.)
• Exciting projects that are transforming IWT as we speak and can be seen as true pioneers
• A workshop between all stakeholders where emission-reducing and market-ready solutions are presented to improve market uptake

Register HERE.

21.03 (Tuesday): “𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴” and “𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲” clusters

• Ensuring the transport infrastructure’s resilience, in particular IWT’s navigability, reducing environmental impact and contributing to Modal Shift is the focus of the resilience cluster.
• Autonomous sailing’s state of play as well as its future potential will be addressed by the other cluster.
• Pilot projects will demonstrate what can be achieved in terms of resilience and autonomous sailing.

Register HERE.

22.03 (Wednesday): 𝗗𝗜𝗪𝗔 – 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀

• Industry experts, DG Move and Fairway authorities will present exciting opportunities to learn about the latest developments and the vision on digitalisation in IWT
• Stakeholders in the IWT industry will share insightful experiences and perspectives by
• Engaging interactive discussions and feedback sessions on the current direction of the Masterplan DIWA project, like Smart Shipping and data sharing
• Collaboration and networking with other industry professionals and representatives from the Fairway authorities will be encouraged

Register HERE.

23– 24.03 (Thursday & Friday): 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝟯 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁

• Past, current and potential future policies as well as regulatory pathways covering all relevant aspects of IWT will be addressed.
• Next to policies also the R&D roadmap for IWT will be presented and debated during the event.
• Industry experts and interested parties will analyse the challenges and opportunities of the IWT sector, focusing on markets, fleet, jobs and skills, and infrastructure.

Register HERE.

The EU strives to reduce CO2 emissions and maximize modal shift and the IWT community is making progress toward these goals. “Inland Navigation Week 2023” is the perfect occasion to showcase this progress.

During this event, you will have the opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities facing IWT, and how innovative projects and policies can help to overcome these challenges. We believe that clustering projects around these topics will help to increase the visibility of IWT, particularly regarding innovation.

Register now for “Inland Navigation Week 2023” and be part of the conversation that will shape the future of transport in Europe.