PLATINA3 supports the European Commission in promoting Inland Waterway Transport (IWT). In particular, it builds the bridge towards future research, innovation and implementation needs within IWT in Europe by providing input to the further development of the EC´s IWT action programme NAIADES and the funding programme Horizon Europe.

PLATINA3 sets up a coordinated platform of IWT experts, policy makers, researchers, wider logistics and waterborne industries as well as other sectors and other transport modes. The platform is a catalyst for awareness raising, stakeholder engagement and uptake of outcomes from related national and European projects and initiatives. PLATINA3 consolidates their results and assesses their impacts and gaps. As a next step, desk research and dialogues with stakeholders refine the findings towards development of policy and R&D roadmaps and implementation plans.

PLATINA3 addresses priority topics for the success of IWT:

  • integration & digitalisation of IWT in the light of modal shift & synchromodality
  • zero-emission, automated & climate resilient fleet
  • skilled workforce, particularly with regard to zero-emission & automation
  • smart & climate resilient waterway and port infrastructure with clean energy hubs

Key experts and stakeholders are consortium partners ensuring the required expertise and support: IWT sector and shippers representatives (IWT Platform, Koninklijke BLN Schuttevaer, European Council of Transport Users), member states and river commissions (Central Commission for Navigation of the Rhine, Danube Commission), waterway administrations (Inland Navigation Europe, viadonau), education institutes (Stichting STC-Group, Maritieme Academie Harlingen), Waterborne Technology Platform (Shipyards and maritime equipment association of Europe), workers (European Transport Workers Federation), expertise centres (Pro Danube Management, Expertise Innovation Centre for Inland Barging).

Main project results:

  • Strategic network of key stakeholders based on intensive, structured exchange
  • IWT Research & Development Roadmap for IWT and Implementation Plan
  • Policy Implementation Plan for IWT

News & activities

Final Event – Brussels 2023

The Final PLATINA3 Event took place in Brussels on 23rd and 24th of March 2023. It was a hybrid event reuniting IWT policy makers of different horizons, professionals from demand and supply side, interested NGOs, research and academic experts as well as other IWT sector representatives.

The opening session was followed by a keynote address of the European Commissioner for Transport, as well as thematic sessions presenting the project’s main findings, conclusions and recommendations for actions in the fields of: Market, Fleet, Jobs & Skills.

The research and development agenda will provide recommendations for markets, fleet, jobs and skills, and infrastructure, while the policy recommendations will be handed over to policymakers and relevant associations.

You can download the full agenda and the presentations from the project's website.

Stage 5 – Budapest 2022

The 5th PLATINA3 Stage Event – the Budapest sessions took place on the 19th and 20th of October 2022 (hybrid). The event was hosted by the Danube Commission in Budapest. 

IWT policy makers of different horizons, professionals from demand and supply side, interested NGOs, research and academic experts as well as other IWT sector representatives joined the PLATINA3 community to discuss the following themes:

  • Standards for competence related to the use of zero or low emission propulsion systems and for refresher classes for environmentally friendly vessel operation
  • Roadmap for on board systems allowing automation of inland navigation vessels, vision on board systems and autonomous navigation, and competencies needed to operate them
  • Alternative energy infrastructure along the waterway and in ports
  • Consolidated R&D roadmap and implementation plan for IWT

You can download the full agenda and the presentations from the project's website.

Stage 4 – Strasbourg revisited

The 4th PLATINA3 Stage Event – Strasbourg Revisited took place on the 7th and 8th of June 2022 (hybrid).

IWT policy makers of different horizons, professionals from demand and supply side, interested NGOs, research and academic experts were invited to join for the following themes:

  • Policy and regulatory actions encouraging and facilitating the use of IWT
  • Funding and financing for energy transition of the European IWT fleet
  • Barriers to infrastructure implementation and proposed solutions

You can download the full agenda and the presentations from the project's website.

Stage 3 – the Bruessels sessions

The 3rd  PLATINA3 Stage Event – the Brussels sessions took place on the 10th and 11th of February 2022 (online). IWT policy makers of different horizons, professionals from demand and supply side, interested NGOs, research and academic experts were invited to join us for the following themes:

  • Inland waterway transport preparing to adapt to a changing climate
  • Modal shift and decarbonisation
  • Towards an EU emission label and energy index for vessels
  • The regulatory pathway towards a zero-emission fleet

You can download the full agenda and the presentations from the projects website.

Stage 2 – the Strasbourg sessions

Together with its partners, the PLATINA3 team was pleased to invite you to the upcoming PLATINA3 – Strasbourg sessions on 19 October 2021 (online). This session was hosted by the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR). You were able able to follow several keynote speeches by Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) specialists from the European Commission, the European Parliament and the business community.

The Strasbourg Sessions concentrated on three main issues: the funding and financing of energy transition of the European IWT fleet; the accurate European fleet data to support future EU policies; and economic barriers to modal shift.

You can download the full agenda and the presentations from the project's website.

Stage 1 – the Budapest sessions

Together with our partners, the PLATINA3 team prepared a great program with keynote speeches by the newly-elected President of the Danube Commission, high-ranking representatives of the European Commission and from the Danube countries, members of the European Parliament and from the business community in a 2-day program called the Budapest sessions. This event was held on the 7th and 8th of April 2021 and was hosted by the Danube Commission.

The opening session was followed by 7 thematic sessions, addressing key challenges and opportunities in inland navigation such as the transition to zero-emission shipping, the integration of inland navigation into supply chains, and smart waterways and autonomous navigation.

You can download the full agenda and the presentations from the projects website.

Partners, duration & budget

Partners

Project Coordinator: EICB - Expertise Innovation Centre for inland Barging (NL)
Role viadonau: Lead of Work Package “Infrastructure” and “Roadmaps & Stakeholder Engagement”

Duration & budget

01/2021 – 06/2023
Budget: € 1.999.857,98, cofinanced by the European Union

For more information, please visit the project website.

The project makes a substantial contribution to the implementation of measure 14. Embed Danube navigation in European strategies of the Action Programme for the Danube 2022.

EU Flagge

Funded by the Horizon H2020 Programme of the European Union under grant agreement No.101006364.