21. City Logistics by Water: Good Practices and Scope for Expansion

Urban freight transport became a specific research topic as the general awareness on the increasing negative effects of these freight delivery activities on the local livability grows. The awareness for external costs (congestion, emissions, noise and road safety) by the public grew. As a result, (local) governments implemented specific policies. Often, these limit the free, flow of traffic, put limits on (un)loading activities and limit urban road capacity. As a result, logistics entrepreneurs innovate their last mile transport operations. An under-investigated opportunity is the use of waterways for urban freight delivery purposes. This chapter lists best practices found in Western Europe. These transport freight towards or in the city. In this chapter, a Dutch concept was translated into a specific case for the Belgian city of Ghent. A cost simulation of an urban delivery concept with an electrically-powered vessel is developed and gives us insight in the actual competitiveness. Based on our own simulation, conclusions are drawn. Further research opportunities are indicated.