Advice Inland Navigation

Market developers

What does a market developer do?

Working closely with companies, our market developers research how to integrate inland shipping into a company’s business operations and, in particular, into their supply chain, and they produce suitable proposals for the company. 

In this way, they convince companies to switch to inland shipping by ensuring that the qualities and advantages of inland shipping are clearly visible within the logistics of the relevant company.

How do they operate?

1. First of all, the incoming and outgoing freight flows are scoped out. The market developer (in partnership with the transport economists) estimate the possibilities for transport by water, based on the company’s location, activities and frequency of the freight flows. The market developer then checks whether the necessary infrastructure is in place. If necessary, he can put the company in contact with specialised logistic companies, or other businesses.
2. Based on this analysis, an initial costing and forecast are made.
3. Subsequently, if necessary, a detailed analysis can be worked out.
4. The services provided by the market developers are not just theoretical; they calculate the potential for the business and help you to complete your project, from A to Z.

Is my company eligible?

The volumes required to use inland shipping can vary significantly, from relatively small to very large. Containers, but also bulk, palletised freight (e.g. bricks) or large indivisible objects, are perfectly possible. The distance to the water is also important; it is best if this is less than 20 km. Incidentally, did you know that 80% of Flemish companies are located less than 10 km from a waterway?

If the freight flow of just one company is not sufficient to warrant transport by water, we take a look at the situation for various companies located at the same business park.  A surprising number of companies can combine their transport. In inland shipping, transhipment is a cost driver. By multiple parties utilising the infrastructure, significant cost savings can be achieved.

Ambassadors

Environmentally-healthy quay transport by water for works at the Henleykaai campus in Ghent

At the Henleykaai campus in Ghent, the Province of East Flanders is constructing a new sports hall and classrooms. In order to reduce (further still) the inconvenience caused by truck traffic delivering and removing construction materials, the Province of East Flanders, the City of Ghent, GentLevert, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv and contractor Furnibo decided to use transport by water for some of the quay logistics.

Motorway sound barriers delivered by water

Omnibeton and De Vlaamse Waterweg nv highlight the potential of inland shipping. For the transport of 263 soundproof walls from Hasselt to the E40 motorway in Merelbeke, in partnership with De Vlaamse Waterweg nv, Omnibeton nv utilised inland shipping.