Modern-day logistics networks are faced with big challenges by the globalised economy with all its fragmented procurement, production and distribution options. Nowadays one of the key terms is “just in time”.

“Just in time“ is often wrongly associated with the speed of transport, while it really refers to punctuality. What is more, the concept rather relates to meeting the agreed deadlines for delivery or pickup of goods than to the timely arrival and departure of the agreed means of transport.

Inland waterway transport meets these requirements in several different ways:

With traditional inland waterway transport, i.e. 1 consignor, 1 consignee, 1 type of goods, load weight from 1,000 to 4,000 tonnes) the vessel is chosen according to the cargo. The DoRIS navigation information system (http://www.doris.bmvit.gv.at) enables early detection of potential travel time deviations as well as their communication to all parties concerned who can then adapt to the new situation in due time.

Modern-day intermodal scheduled services (more consignors, more consignees, more shipments packed in containers or swap bodies, scheduled departure and arrival times throughout the whole year, replacement services in case of unfavourable nautical conditions) involve a variety of transport modes.

Risks impeding scheduled transport of course not only relate to inland waterway traffic but also to all other transport modes. Road transport carriers for example are often exposed to traffic jams and a high accident risk, while rail transport may be impeded by network congestions and derailments.