Abstract
ObjectiveThis study investigates the implementation of the waterborne platooning transport concept in two of the largest European inland navigation corridors, the Rhine and the Danube region. Each region has different geo-economic and environmental features. These features are compared, and their effects on implementing a waterborne platooning transport concept are studied. The waterborne platooning concept, referred to as the Vessel Train, aims to reduce crew cost by automating the navigation tasks and moving the navigational responsibility to the leading vessel of the platoon, which is fully manned.MethodsThe implementation of the Vessel Train is assessed by making use of a developed model, which allows the assessment of the concept's viability by comparing the annual cost per transported ton of a reference vessel that sails individually to a vessel that sails as a part of a VT on the same route.ResultsThe results conclude that the application of waterborne platooning on the Rhine is more promising than on the Danube. The low wages hamper the implementation of the concept on the Danube in the region, the low traffic density on the waterway, and the common use of large push tows instead of self-propelled vessels.Implications for researchAs determined in the analysis for the Rhine case, a reduction in transport cost would make waterborne transport more attractive. However, other factors, such as the further integration of the VT in the overall supply chain, play a role in the successful implementation of this IWT transport concept. Applying the VT concept in the Danube case requires more potential cargo flows, which can be obtained by adding push convoys into the vessel train. This way of transport is more numerous on the Danube than self-propelled vessels. Both of these aspects should be studied further.
Highlights
An innovative transport system is being developed by the NOVIMAR project [38] that aims to enhance waterborne transportation in different areas in Europe through crew cost minimization
Applying the Vessel Train (VT) concept in the Danube case requires more potential cargo flows, which can be obtained by adding push convoys into the vessel train
The vertical line on the plots denote the separation point from the VT, which means that beyond this point, Follower Vessel (FV) sail under their own navigational control in an Operating regime that allow h operations (A1) regime
Summary
The implementation of the Vessel Train is assessed by making use of a developed model, which allows the assessment of the concept’s viability by comparing the annual cost per transported ton of a reference vessel that sails individually to a vessel that sails as a part of a VT on the same route
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