MicroPorts: Potential analysis of a multimodal transshipment system

Road and freight transport in Germany is reaching its limits due to the increasing volume of traffic. Inland waterway vessels can provide additional transport capacity and are also highly climate-friendly and reliable. A prerequisite for the increased use of inland waterway vessels is the creation of a good infrastructure for goods handling. Additional decentralized transshipment points can optimize access routes to and from ports and create incentives for combined transport.

The aim of the project is to develop the technical concept and design of a network of decentralized transshipment hubs (MicroPorts) for linking land and water-based freight transport. The technical concept of the decentralized transshipment points is based on the use of existing infrastructure, in particular bridges, for the installation of the MicroPorts. The potential of the new transshipment concept will be evaluated in terms of economic efficiency and environmental compatibility. The project, which is being carried out by partners BIBA – Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik GmbH and NWL Norddeutsche Wasserweg Logistik GmbH, is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV).

More at www.biba.uni-bremen.de/dbm/pdf/projects/microports_ger.pdf