FFC 5 - 7 – A City , three Flows

InnoWaTr Centre of Expertise

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In the Belgian city of Ghent three FFCs implement and test concepts for city

freight distribution via water . Two of them address material flows into the city

moving construction material and regional food ; another FFC deals with

waste flows out of the city . All three combined ensure balanced cargo flows

and are such a perfect logistics match .

Test sailings not only contribute to economic assessments of underlying supply

chains but also inspire other cities and companies . Although shipping goods

along Ghent s waterways is currently not yet economically viable the tests

provide vital input to operational improvements They serve as lessons

learned for the further development

Currently the fleet includes four barges of 15 m in length able to carry up to

25 tons

The barges have been designed with

shallow bridge clearings in mind .

Propulsion is battery - electric , so they are

emission free within the city . Some of the

barges are equipped with highly

autonomous sailing capabilities

developed by Seafar , another InnoWaTr

partner ( see HERE

for further information ) .

A larger barge with 40 tons capability

and Seafar technology is under

development , as is a push barge .

Two locations in Ghent serve as potential

distribution centres ( * Regionaal Overslag

Centrum , ROC ) , located outside of the

inner city to ( un ) load the barges .

Peter Geirnaert ( Urban Waterway Logistics ) ;

Tom Pauwels ( POM Oost - Vlaanderen )