Facts & Figures

Did you know that almost the same amount of cargo is transported on Germany's waterways every year as by rail? Approximately 80 - 90 % as much cargo arrives by barge as by train.

Whereas the railways profit from generous public funding alongside their usual income, inland waterway carriers have to rely on transport income. This financial background is a clear indication of the economic and innovative setting in which barge owners and shipping companies operate.

Around 80 % of Germany's inland waterway traffic is on the Rhine, Europe's largest inland waterway. The ports of Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Kehl, Breisach and Weil am Rhein are all on the Rhine.

The Neckar river connects the ports of Heilbronn, Stuttgart and Plochingen to the German and European network of waterways, while Wertheim is on the river Main. Inland waterway crafts have.a very high cubage, as the comparison below shows:

1 inland waterway craft is equal to approx. 2 - 3 whole trains
1 inland waterway craft is equal to approx. 120 - 150 trucks

Due to this impressive cargo capacity, the waterways have always played a key role in transporting mass goods. Container transport has also been advancing in recent years. This basic pillar of combined transport with annual growth rates of up to 10 % shows enormous potential for waterways cargo. In comparison to road traffic, waterways are far from reaching their full capacity - anything is possible.

From an ecological and economical point of view, transport on the waterways takes first place, ahead of road and rail.