Launched in 2022 and financed by the European Commission under the Horizon programme with an investment of €6.8 million, the Cristal project is nearing its natural conclusion, scheduled for the end of this year. The programme's objective is to develop innovative solutions that will increase the share of goods transported via Europe's inland waterways by at least twenty percent, improve the reliability and accessibility of waterway transport by 80%, and ensure the continuous operation of waterways even during extreme weather events such as floods or droughts.
By implementing the digitalisation of river routes and developing new technologies for monitoring water flow and planning maintenance interventions, Cristal aims to create river transport solutions that can be integrated into the Ten-T networks to help ease road traffic congestion. Inland waterways are considered essential for achieving climate neutrality. However, despite the sector's potential, the volume of goods transported via these routes continues to decline. Climate change has significantly impacted water flow, causing excessive increases during floods and severe reductions during extreme droughts, making navigation increasingly difficult.
The programme has been developed across fifteen European countries, with three pilot projects implemented in France—on the Seine and Moselle rivers—in Poland, along the Vistula and Rhine, and in Italy, on the Padano-Venetian waterway. Among the successes achieved in France, a notable experiment involving ground-penetrating radar (Sir) technology was conducted on the Seine. This tool, capable of analysing concrete structures up to six metres deep, can be used to detect structural details and potential damage in locks, enabling more precise and effective maintenance strategies.
Poland, on the other hand, has focused on navigation, overcoming challenges posed by water level fluctuations and the closure of some canals. Two significant inland navigation routes have been opened: one connecting Antwerp to Gliwice in the country's south and another linking Plock to Gdansk in the north. Both routes will facilitate the connection between northern ports, Antwerp and Gdansk, and inland infrastructure. Despite extended transit times, their use would help alleviate road congestion while offering a more sustainable transport alternative.
In Italy, efforts have centred on the Padano-Venetian waterway, which is part of the Ten-T network and includes the Po River from Piacenza to its mouth, the Fissero-Tartaro-Canalbianco Canal, the Po-Brondolo Canal, the Ferrara waterway, the Venetian coastal route, and the ports of Mantua, Rovigo, and Chioggia. This system could serve as a crucial corridor linking the Mediterranean to Central Europe. However, a study summarised in a report titled "Manifesto for the Sustainable Development of the Padano-Venetian Waterway System" has identified several challenges, including infrastructural, regulatory, governance, and urban development limitations, as well as issues related to insufficient workforce and inadequate employment contracts, all of which currently hinder the sector's growth.
The Cristal project in Italy has highlighted the need to address the height of bridges, which are often too low to allow the passage of large vessels. Another key issue is the necessity of regular maintenance to prevent sediment build-up, which reduces draught levels and contributes to flooding and overflow risks. These interventions would require careful planning and stronger synergy between public and private entities involved in navigation.
Additionally, there are concerns regarding fees for the use of port facilities. Currently, service offerings lack transparency, with unclear pricing for dock use and other services. Cristal has proposed creating a single online portal to display conditions and fees for all infrastructure within the network. Another pressing issue is the shortage of onboard personnel, which remains largely unregulated. No national contract currently exists for inland waterway workers, and the existing regulations are outdated. The Manifesto suggests establishing a working group to discuss the introduction of a dedicated national contract.
The qualifications required to enter the profession should also be revised, as current requirements are often inadequate and contradict EU principles. The waterway manifesto concludes with a comprehensive list of essential interventions while reaffirming the feasibility of establishing a functional, efficient, and reliable river transport network. Beyond offering a sustainable transport solution and economic opportunities, such a network could also help mitigate the risk of flooding in an area that has suffered significant devastation in recent years.
Marco Martinelli
