ABSTRACT: Due to the ongoing climate change, the European Commission is implementing the promotion of inland waterway transport. By creating favourable conditions for the further development of the sector, the Commission hopes to encourage more companies to use this mode of transport. The policy to promote inland waterway transport in Europe is encapsulated in the NAIADES Action Programme. Carriage of goods by inland waterways is climate-friendly and energy-efficient and can significantly contribute to sustainable mobility in Europe. The European Commission believes that transport by inland waterways must be better used in order to relieve heavily congested transport corridors. In inland navigation, we are dealing with water areas of relatively small depths, therefore the units - pushed convoys carrying out the transport task in these areas have a shallow draft. The small draft of the units, as well as the shape of the hull, which is flat-bottomed, makes such a unit very sensitive to hydro-meteorological conditions. At the same time, the shape of the underwater part of the hull greatly influences the maneuverability of the vessel, especially when turning, taking up a large maneuvering space. The number of inland waterway accidents and claims for damages has been increasing year by year since 2014. The value of claims for damages is also growing. According to Paul Goris, President of the IWT Platform, "The inland shipping sector is on the verge of a major transformation in terms of sustainability and digitalisation. This requires further development of standards and certain security requirements".

KEYWORDS: Inland Navigation, Marine Safety Improvements, Manoeuvring, Safety Climate, Inland Waterway Transport, Manoeuvring Assessment, Accident Prevention Measure, Magnus Effect

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