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Digital Information Services Needed for a Sustainable Inland Waterway Transportation Business

Author

Listed:
  • Patrick Specht

    (Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Jan-Niklas Bamler

    (bremenports GmbH & Co. KG, 28217 Bremen, Germany)

  • Marija Jović

    (Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Nils Meyer-Larsen

    (Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

Abstract

Inland waterway transportation (IWT) is highly efficient in terms of greenhouse gas emissions but lacks economic competitiveness when compared to other modes of transport. Digital information services that foster efficiency and sustainability of IWT are considered important elements for improving its attractiveness and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions of the transportation sector as a whole. Therefore, this paper addresses the question of what kind of digital information services are actually needed and should be provided, e.g., by port and waterway authorities, to stimulate a modal shift in favour of IWT. Though the concept of river information services (RIS) already provides a harmonised approach to information services in the sector, the current political and scientific discourse still lacks insight into what degree the currently available information services actually meet industry needs. Equally, possibilities to provide practical recommendations are limited. Therefore, this contribution fills this knowledge gap by providing data from the field gathered through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. After elaborating on the underlying problem as well as the current state of research and practice, we will lay out observed information-relevant challenges to business actors and their respective needs. Based on this, practical recommendations for improvements of digital services and further avenues for research are derived.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Specht & Jan-Niklas Bamler & Marija Jović & Nils Meyer-Larsen, 2022. "Digital Information Services Needed for a Sustainable Inland Waterway Transportation Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:11:p:6392-:d:822594
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Edvard Tijan & Adrijana Agatić & Marija Jović & Saša Aksentijević, 2019. "Maritime National Single Window—A Prerequisite for Sustainable Seaport Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-21, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aleksy Kwilinski & Oleksii Lyulyov & Tetyana Pimonenko, 2023. "Environmental Sustainability within Attaining Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Digitalization and the Transport Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Shekwoyemi Gbako & Paraskevadakis Dimitrios & Ren Jun & Wang Jin, 2023. "Digitalisation and Decarbonisation Challenges of Inland Waterways Freight Logistics Transport and their Integration into Regional Supply Chains – A Case Study," Logistics, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Global Challenges, Sciendo, vol. 14(1), pages 1-23, December.

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