In the pursuit of InnoWaTr’s mission to increase the sustainability and resilience of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT), our focus remains steadfast on knowledge sharing and collaboration. This was demonstrated during a recent excursion undertaken by students Mary Morcos and Arvin Ailipanah from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden to the vibrant city of Ghent in Belgium.
The purpose of their visit was sharing insights between the East Flemish and Swedish projectpartners in InnoWaTr Project, namely POM Oost-Vlaanderen, Maritime at RISE and Urban Waterway Logistics. The visit showed the added value of the interaction between European project partners, but also showed that lessons learned from different European projects are combined in practice (AVATAR, #IWTS 2.0 and of course InnoWaTr).
One notable highlight of their expedition was the encounter with Danny Vanrijkel at Fabriek Logistiek. Here, they were introduced to a groundbreaking grab prototype developed under the #IWTS2.0 project, designed to facilitate the loading and unloading of plastic waste onto inland navigation vessels. This innovation not only promises to streamline logistical processes but also holds the potential to mitigate littering during transit—a critical step towards environmental preservation.
Students Mary and Arvin also gained firsthand insights into the operational challenges of container transport for waste in urban environments during their visit to Thienpont Container Transport in Drongen. As partners of Urban Waterway Logistics, Thienpont Container Transport expressed a keen interest in leveraging water routes for waste transportation—a testament to the growing recognition of waterways as viable avenues for sustainable freight distribution.
Further enriching their experience was a meeting with Bart Peeters from the City of Ghent, who provided valuable feedback on the city's vision for water utilization, including the establishment of transshipment hubs and loading points in key areas. This exchange not only broadened the students' understanding but also underscored the importance of municipal engagement in promoting sustainable practices.
All in all, the excursion exemplifies the essence of the InnoWaTr project – collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. By fostering cross-border partnerships and exchanging valuable insights, initiatives like these pave the way for a greener, more efficient future.
