CREATING project aims at stimulating the transport via inland waterways by identifying land-based cargo flows that can be maritimised as well as shippers interested in shifting their cargo to inland waterways and providing the optimal logistic and technical conditions to make this modal shift a success.
Innovative concepts in logistics, environment and safety were developed during the project to strengthen the performance of inland navigation. CREATING in that way supports developments to enhance the integration of inland navigation into European logistic chains and its competitiveness as most efficient, safe and environmentally friendly mode of transport. The research on environmental impact of inland navigation concentrated on emission minimisation. Conventional as well as new vessel engine technologies were examined with regard to their emission reduction potential. Based on these results concrete measures were recommended to policy-makers and the inland waterway sector, in particular with regard to necessary adaptations of emission regulations and desirable implementations of high potential emission reduction techniques.
CREATING will boost the overall performance of inland navigation transport by multidisciplinary RTD activities and by integrating previous project results in innovative vessel concepts focused on logistics, emission reduction, safety and efficiency.
RTD activities include innovative new vessel concepts with optimised logistic performance, with implementation of results from the supporting RTD on emissions, safety and efficiency. Emissions RTD concentrates on fuel economy by reduction of hull resistance, innovative propulsion systems and energy management, including future application of fuel cells in inland navigation. Other topics include reduction of wastewater, dust and gasses. Safety RTD concentrates on safety analysis of external risk and causes of accidents, as well as on safety measures aboard, including both innovative constructions and navigational and operational aspects. Efficiency RTD concentrates on efficiency, focussing on ICT supporting methodology for logistic efficiency and on innovative cargo handling during transhipment and transit (integrating transport with other logistic functions).