NOVIMOVE: Validating Smarter Inland Waterway Transport Through Simulation

Theodor-Heuss-Brücke Düsseldorf - Tanker barge with destination Basel

Inland waterway transport has a key role in making European freight transport more sustainable and efficient. As part of the EU-funded NOVIMOVE project (Novel Inland Waterway Transport Concepts for Moving Freight Effectively), Systems Navigator contributed advanced simulation modeling to turn innovative ideas into actionable, validated solutions.

NOVIMOVE focused on improving freight transport along the Rhine–Alpine corridor (Rotterdam/Antwerp–Basel) by increasing the efficiency, reliability, and attractiveness of inland shipping. The objective was clear: reduce congestion, emissions, and costs while strengthening the competitive position of inland waterways compared to road transport.

Simulation as a Decision Support Tool

Systems Navigator developed simulation models and serious games to test and evaluate NOVIMOVE innovations before real-world deployment. These models were built on SIVAK, a robust modelling library for inland waterway infrastructure and logistics. SIVAK itself is built using SIMIO simulation software and hosted on our Scenario Navigator SaaS platform, enabling fast scenario testing, easy collaboration, and scalable analysis.

This environment allowed stakeholders to quantify the impact of innovations on:

• Costs and reliability

• Waiting times at locks and terminals

• Fuel consumption and emissions

• Network capacity and congestion

Innovations Tested

Using our simulation environment, NOVIMOVE concepts were evaluated across the corridor, including:

• Smart navigation, merging satellite positioning with real-time water-level data

• Dynamic scheduling of locks and bridges to reduce bottlenecks

• Adaptive vessel designs for low-water conditions

• Improved logistics, including cargo reconstruction and mobile terminals to increase load factors

From Innovation to Implementation

Simulation allowed NOVIMOVE to validate ideas early, reducing risk and supporting evidence-based decision-making. The project aimed to increase inland waterway freight volumes by up to 30%, while reducing waiting times and fuel use.

At Systems Navigator, NOVIMOVE demonstrates how simulation built on SIMIO, deployed via Scenario Navigator SaaS, helps policymakers, operators, and infrastructure managers make better-informed choices and accelerate the transition toward smarter, greener transport systems.

For more information about the project, visit www.novimove.eu.