Unions warn of inland waterway skills and digitalisation challenges

Nautilus International joined industry and union leaders in highlighting the growing pressures on Europe's inland waterway workforce, at a high‑level conference organised by the Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (LCGB) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF).  

The event, held on 29 October 2025 at the Kameha Grand conference hotel in Bonn, formed part of the EU‑funded Delivering Fair Transport for All project. 

Speakers from European trade unions and the shipping industry outlined how rising transport volumes, ageing infrastructure, the energy transition, demographic change and rapid digitalisation are reshaping the sector. Although these trends all affect the wider economy, delegates heard that inland waterway transport is experiencing many of them with particular intensity. 

Jaap Gebaard, secretary general of the European Waterborne Technology Platform, which brings together stakeholders to transform the sector into a zero-emission mode of transport, focused on developments in digitalisation and remote‑controlled shipping.

He said these technologies would have significant implications for both employees and environmental performance and argued that clear standards and responsibilities need to be established now if future technological change is to be sustainable and safe. 

Tim Gödde, director of ship management at inland waterway company HGK Shipping, described a wide set of challenges facing companies and crews. These include automation, skills shortages, the need for improved training and continuous professional development, the energy transition, decarbonisation requirements and increasingly complex approval procedures. Mr Gödde stressed that employers must not only modernise their fleets to remain competitive and environmentally compliant but also ensure access to a skilled and well‑trained workforce. 

Drawing on many years of experience as a captain, trainer and consultant, Jacques Kerkhof, chair of ETF Inland Waterway Transport, highlighted the urgent need to make the profession more attractive to young people. He said that strengthening training and continuing education will be essential if workers are to be prepared for the sector's future demands.