The purpose of this study is to recognize technical barriers and possibilities to improve traffic in inland waterways in Finland. The original goal of the task was to develop a barge prototype for inland transport. However, it was soon realised that inland traffic in Finland occurs between inland ports and sea ports in the Baltic and Northern Sea; not between inland waterways. A standardised barge concept would be beneficial in other inland waterways, but the specific barge is not an option for Finland. The traffic is and will be done by standard seagoing coaster vessels.
Following technical challenges have been recognized:
• Limited availability of suitable vessels.
• Lock size is limiting usable size of the vessels
• Limited availability of operational information
• Limited draft in the Saimaa (4,35m)