The European inland navigation policy as an integral part of transport policy is set out by the European Commission’s Action Programme NAIADES. It was first published in 2006 and aims to promote inland waterway transport in Europe.

NAIADES is an important step towards fully exploiting the market potential of inland waterway transport. As an integrated programme it combines legislative, coordination and support measures and focuses on five strategic areas: markets, fleet, personnel, image and infrastructure. The NAIADES Action Programme provides not only the member countries, but also the EU itself, with guidelines for a general strengthening of inland navigation.

In April 2011 the European Commission published a progress report on the implementation of the Action Programme. Because NAIADES expires in 2013, the European Commission, in close cooperation with the EU member states and policy makers from the sector, is preparing the key priorities for the follow-on programme. This will ensure that inland navigation will continue to play an important role in European transport policy in the coming years.

Contact:

Dr. Gert-Jan Muilerman
E-Mail: gert-jan.muilerman@via-donau.org
Phone: +43 50 4321 1604

Further information can be found on the NAIADES information portal: www.naiades.info