Intermodal Barge Transport : Network Design, Nodes and Competitiveness

The thesis addresses the opportunities and conditions to increase the market share of intermodal barge transport in Northwest Europe. In particular, it focuses on strategies to improve the performances of the different links of the intermodal transport chain: the barge transport services, the transhipment at terminals and pre- and post-truck haulage operations. The thesis shows that the development of more complex barge transport services, implemented for instance in collection/distribution-, trunk-feeder- and hub-and-spoke service networks, can improve the market position of barge transport in the hinterland transport of containers and enables to open up new markets for intermodal barge transport. However, to support the well-functioning of these service networks appropriate terminal and transhipment concepts are needed. Basically there are three ‘locations’ in the network where tailor-made barge handling innovations are needed: (1) in the seaport, (2) in the capillaries of the waterway network and (3) in strategically located inland nodes, e.g. to support hub-and-spoke networks. In pre- and post-truck haulage, which has a relatively large share in the total chain costs, the challenge is to improve the organisation of these hauls through combining loaded trips. In developing business areas close to waterways favourable conditions are created for efficient pre- and post-haulage and this contributes to improving the competitiveness of intermodal barge transport.