On September 22nd, European Barging Union (EBU) published its Annual Report 2024/2025. EBU represents freight and passenger barge owners and operators across Europe’s principal inland waterway nations.
The report gives an overview of the organisation’s work over the last year while discussing challenges that are likely to shape the future of the sector. The document highlights the essential contribution of inland waterway transport to the Green Deal and connected topics such as the EU Clean Industrial Deal, while underscoring the need for infrastructure investments aimed at enhancing the resilience and reliability of Europe’s waterways. It stresses the indispensable role of the sector in the energy transition as well as the potential of digitalisation and the need to place people and skills at the centre while addressing labour and skills’ shortages by supporting quality employment.
EBU explicitly recognises the role of ports and shipbuilding as pillars of sovereignty and security, highlighting the role ports play in hosting industrial activity while functioning not only as logistical gateways that enable European trade but also as hubs for green energy. Furthermore, ports play a critical role in security and military mobility.
Funding is essential for enhancing the quality of Europe’s waterway network and achieving the TEN-T targets. A predictable EU transport budget is needed considering the sector’s contribution to the EU’s cohesion, competitiveness and military preparedness. EBU specifically recommends solving bottlenecks that affect cross-border connectivity, which is especially relevant for the inland waterway sector where 75% of operations cross borders.
