Creating Europe’s first high-capacity navigable waterway network, modernising inland waterways

When it comes to transporting goods, Europe’s inland waterways have the potential to serve as a sustainable alternative to roads.

Transport and Mobility

Climate Change and Environment

Energy

© JC Hecquet

Seine-Escaut is an ambitious project that will create a network covering 1 100 km of high-capacity waterways linking major seaports and numerous multimodal platforms in two countries, France and Belgium. The project includes the construction of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal linking the Seine basin with the Escaut basin, and beyond that, other major European river basins. This, combined with the modernisation and regeneration of existing canals, will increase river traffic and boost a modal shift from road transport, and play a key role in the North Sea‑Rhine‑Mediterranean transport corridor.

Keywords

Seine-Escaut, waterborne transport, CINEA, sustainability, EU-funded, research, shipping, freight, inland waterway, port, alternative fuel, wind, methanol