De Poolse Binnenvaart

Abstract

This report describes a visit to Poland by mr. R. Filarski and mr. J.U. Brolsma of the Transportation and Traffic Engineering Division of Rijkswaterstaat in the week of the 22nd through 26th of June 1992. The trip was guided by prof. dr. M. Milkowski. Inland navigation is not very important in Poland: no more than 1% of the transportation, no more than 1800 barges, average size 500 tons. Inland navigation is suffering from the economic recession. Since 1980 almost no inland barges were built, nevertheless there is overcapacity and many barges will have to be scrapped. The trade to Western Europe is too small to offer sufficient relieve. Moreover these Polish barges are competitors to our barges of 300 to 600 tons, that have already a hard time. The Polish waterway network consists of two South-northbound rivers Odra and Wisla and an east-west connection via Warta, Notec and Bydgoszcz Canal. The waterways are mostly in a bad shape. The canalized rivers are relatively the best. The free running rivers provide not enough waterdepth for efficient shipping. Barges sailing for Western Europe will also encounter problems at the crossing of the Mittellandkanal and the Elbe river. Therefore it is not expected that Poland will be an attractive destination for Dutch barges. The waterways that looks best from a point of view of civil-engineering and transportation is the Odra river. To our opinion this river should be improved first. The construction of a weir at Malczyce weir is urgent. The benefits of an improvement of the Odra river could be enlarged by a connection to the Wisla river near Krakow and canalizing the Upper Odra to Ostrava. Canalizing the Wisla river between Krakow and Gdansk is such a gigantic task, that one can not find justification now. The construction of an east-west connection between Germany and Belyorussia is of strategic importance on the long run. In Poland the Hydroproject company is preparing a feasibility study. In conclusion: the absence of cargo makes the urge to the west of Polish barges understandable. The Polish waterways certainly have potential, but it requires large investments beforehand, the Polish know very well.