Together for better: cooperation in transport of palletized goods via the inland waterways

The transport of palletized goods via the inland waterways is an emerging market in Belgium, and especially in Flanders. As research and different pilots proved the interest for a modal shift of palletized drinks and building materials. Both sectors were addressed, and currently different A to B flows of those sectors are transported by barge. Investments into new types of barges and in required infrastructure enhance the potential of the concept. This potential rises even more when different flows can be combined. This paper presents the case of an innovative cooperation between a large producer of drinks and a large supplier in the construction sector. They combine the transport of palletized building materials and palletized drinks on the axis Leuven-Liège. In order to evaluate this cooperation, the transport-related external costs are calculated and presented in this paper. This calculation illustrate - despite the constraints in terms of transport length, that a saving of 36,6 percent in external costs can be obtained thanks to this cooperation. As such, this cooperation can be an example, which could lead to others, and by consequence enhance the sustainability of the transport of palletized goods.

ISBN:978-94-6197-242-2

Keywords:External cost calculation, pallets, inland waterways