Blue Routes for a New Era : Developing Inland Waterways Transportation in China
Most policy makers readily acknowledge the economic, environmental, and social benefits of moving freight and passengers by waterways. However, why do many countries struggle to develop and revive their inland waterways transportation (IWT)? One reason is because of the dearth of successful exam...
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| Format: | Book |
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Washington, DC: World Bank
2020
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| Online Access: | https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/908191600317351237/blue-routes-for-a-new-era-developing-inland-waterways-transportation-in-china http://hdl.handle.net/10986/34415 |
| Summary: | Most policy makers readily acknowledge the economic, environmental,
and social benefits of moving freight and passengers by waterways.
However, why do many countries struggle to develop and revive their inland
waterways transportation (IWT)? One reason is because of the dearth of
successful examples of IWT revival. Aside from the United States and
Europe, which have been relatively successful, the experience of many
emerging countries has been a tale of intensive use followed by total
collapse of the IWT sector. However, the combination of societal, economic,
and environmental imperatives is motivating reassessment, as countries look
to develop sustainable transport systems and to curb greenhouse gas
emissions from the transport sector. China’s experience has similarities to
the experience of many countries and offers valuable lessons. This report is
the result of an in-depth retrospective study of IWT in China and fills a gap
in global knowledge.
From an IWT system that carried less than 150 million tons in 1978,
IWT in China carried 3.74 billion tons of cargo in 2018—six times more
than either the European Union or the United States. China now has the
busiest IWT system in the world. China’s leadership in IWT development
started with years of investment in infrastructure that transformed lowgrade
waterways, allowing larger vessels to use the waterways, which
resulted in higher transport efficiency and lower cost. China also invested
in development of skills and technical know-how. To date there are
127,000 km of inland waterways in China that have high-quality
navigability and a good safety record. During the period of rapid
economic development, China also adopted or developed internationally
recognized technical innovations for river classification, vessel
replacement, navigation technology, and environmental protection.
What China achieved is informative. In particular, how and why China
improved IWT provides valuable lessons for other countries. |
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