bremenports was excited to invite the InnoWaTr-partners to the first training session for the Centre of Expertise. The event took place on May 2nd via Webex, where a presentation on "Development perspectives and approaches for strengthening inland waterway transport in Bremerhaven" was delivered by Annalena Schmid a student form Jade University of Applied Sciences.
Annalena, bremenports intern, conducted research on inland water transportation as part of her Bachelor thesis. Her work focused on identifying future scenarios and recommendations for action to enhance inland waterway shipping in Bremerhaven. She shared her findings with the InnoWaTr consortium in a modified format during the webinar.
Future of Bremerhaven's Inland Shipping
The overall aim of her work was to outline possible future scenarios for strengthening inland shipping in Bremerhaven. She conducted in-depth research, centred around nine expert interviews, aiming to formulate actionable recommendations. The outcome of her thesis: Bremerhaven has potential for inland shipping, but needs supra-regional support in order to become competitive. The surrounding area plays a decisive role in the attractiveness of the port location. The water-side infrastructure in the hinterland currently limits inland shipping. The key messages were that inland waterway transport is indispensable for environmentally friendly transportation and should be promoted more strongly and that inland waterway transport must be integrated more strongly into existing transport chains by involving regionally based companies.
Empowering Modal Shift Solutions
These results fit perfectly within the project, as Annalena has worked out in detail the reservations of those involved stakeholders about the modal shift - and the consortium can build on this in the project and develop possible solutions. Practically, the webinar allowed us to think outside the box (from a ports perspective) and made it clear that modal shift can only be implemented together along the freight flow - as a coalition!
Launching the Center of Expertise
This webinar was the first training of the Center of Expertise, which will be followed by many more in the coming project years. Overall, the Center of Expertise will present and disseminate the knowledge and experience gained from the InnoWaTr project in the various freight flow coalitions and made public in the end.
