Specific navigation conditions like shallow water, ice, narrow fairways hinder the development of inland waterway transport, as only small ships with relatively high unit cost can be serviced.

A possible solution can be to use barge types, which are adjusted to specific navigable conditions in the Baltic Sea Region to increase efficiency and or loading capacity compared to standard equipment.

This handbook includes existing barge concepts for specific navigation conditions like shallow water, low bridges, ice, etc. and targets mainly shipping lines thinking to setting up logistic services on inland waterways in the BSR.

It should motivate them to further investigate the issue and consider new Baltic Sea Region services in their portfolio.

Additionally, two concepts for the adaptation of existing European ship tonnage for specific navigational conditions are presented in this handbook in detail.

Ice conditions

The presence of ice on the water surface exerts huge issues on ships running through the water area in Swedish Inland Waterways. Therefore new ways have to find to use Inland Waterways more days in the year.

Analyses should then identify opportunities for improvement of vessels and better propulsion systems under these stronger conditions.

LNG Hybrid propulsion system

To fulfil overall climate targets a hybrid propulsion system should substitute the existing fuel concept with a naturally based sustainable fuel concept.

For zero emission in special areas electric propulsion system should be analysed probably as a hybrid concept with the before mentioned sustainable fuel concept.

The Analyses should show the technical needs according to the conditions in the BSR here in Sweden and Lithuania as similar and the cost of such concept.