VIM (Flanders Institute for Mobility), lead partner of the European project Watertruck, can now try to prove the economic and practical viability of the Watertruck concept. This will be done by organising trial sailings on a large scale, with the idea of getting Watertruck ready to be tested as a means of transport for use on European waterways.
The concept of Watertruck, a European Interreg IVB NWE project is simple: by working with small barges and pushers, sailing is disconnected from loading and unloading. This allows the skipper to return home every day. Watertruck is ideal for small waterways. Small barges can be linked in convoys on the larger waterways so that the entire transport becomes cheaper.
Test Zones of 50 km Diameter
There have already been two successful trial sailings within the project. Thanks to an extension, the project team can now test the concept widely in two test zones of approximately 50 km diameter, of which one will be located in Belgium and the other in the Netherlands.
Objective: to show that Watertruck really works and in so doing, encourage investors to build the desperately needed small pushers and barges, which are currently very scarce.
Looking for the Right Size for Barges
Koen Valgaeren, general manager of VIM: ‘We will analyse what the size of the barges needs to be. Standard sizes will simplify and stimulate use. We are also researching both traditional and innovative production methods for small barges, in the hope of being able to encourage potential investors to come on board.’
Combining Different Types of Cargo
Watertruck has translated something that is fully established in trucking to the inland waterways. This gives rise to a massive potential.
Ingrid Lieten, Flemish Minister of Innovation: ‘This new mode of transport allows the combination of different types of cargo: bulk cargo, piece goods, containers and pallet loads. Provided it is applied on a large scale, it can lead to overall cheaper transport. Further, it allows skippers to return home every day and is accompanied by new production of pushers and barges. And last but not least: a Watertruck transport with two 500-ton barges soon replaces fifty lorries. The ecological impact is thus very promising.’
Consortium of Belgian, French and Dutch Companies
This expansion of the project is the next step in launching Watertruck on an industrial scale. The project budget is approximately € 360,000, half of which is financed by European funding from the Interreg IVB NWE Programme. The other half is borne by the Watertruck partners, a consortium of Belgian, French and Dutch companies.
The project results are expected in mid-June 2014.
