Province of Groningen (PRG)

Relevant Thematic Competences and Experiences
As a regional authority,   Province of Groningen plays a pivotal role in managing most of the inland waterways within within Groningen’s jurisdiction. We possess the necessary expertise and resources to facilitate and promote environmental-friendly inland waterway freight transportation. Leveraging  its regional responsibilities and in-depth knowledge of transport flows in Groningen:we are committed to advancing sustainable and efficient inland waterway transport. We have identified several key areas of focus for this endeavor, drawing from the valuable insights gained through our involvement in the InnoWaTr2.0 project.

Role in the Project
PRG's primary focus within the InnoWaTr2.0 project centers on the development and enhancement of the Aduardiep and Reitdiep zones, with a particular emphasis on the following aspects:

WP1:

• Conducting additional research to assess the potential for modal shift and the expansion of water-related activities, such as those involving Cosun Beet and Hibex.
• Actively forging collaborations and coalitions wherever feasible.
• Formulating a strategic plan that engages various stakeholders and adopts a digital platform approach.
• Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the viability and necessity of waterway upgrades, based on the potential for modal shift and coalition formation.

WP3:

• Garnering insights into stakeholders' perspectives and their willingness to engage in the project's follow-up phases.
• Establishing communication with the relevant municipalities to align their ambitions and explore opportunities for collaboration with the coalitions.

Benefits of Participation
Participating in the InnoWaTr2.0 project presents several several benefits to PRG:

• A strategic and albeit modest role in InnoWaTr2.0 that aligns with our broader objectives of contributing to the Fit4-55 targets.
• A unique opportunity to closely monitor and learn from the developments within the InnoWaTr Freight Flow Coalitions.
•  The ability to refine and expand our plans for greening inland waterway freight streams, with the possibility of setting up and managing Freight Flow Coalitions in the near future.
• The potential to exchange valuable experiences with our project partners focused on modal shift and share insights on technical, innovative, and digital solutions with universities and businesses.