Rhine Conference 2025, moving the green transformation of the Rhine forward
Picture by PK Media Consult GmbH
On the fifth of December 2025, the eighth Rhine Conference (German: Länderkonferenz Rhein 2025) was held in Düsseldorf.
Over 120 experts discussed sustainable shipping on the Rhine. The ‘Perspective for Sustainable Rhine Navigation 2030’ initiative has the goal to strengthen the waterway system and enhance European cooperation. Dr. Cecilia Braun took part as Director of the Interregional Alliance for the Rhine-Alpine Corridor EGTC and emphasised the importance of established institutional structures for aligning national transport strategies with the 2030 sustainability initiative and highlighted the role of EU funding mechanisms like the Connecting Europe Facility in facilitating port transformations.
This initiative aims to create a green inland waterway corridor featuring emission-free propulsion systems for vessels and technology for automated inland waterway transport. The plan seeks to improve the image of ports and ensure efficient waterways. Partners from riparian countries, municipalities, and various logistical organisations from Rotterdam to Basel are involved.
Oliver Krischer, Minister of Transport in North-Rhine Westphalia, emphasised, ‘In times of change, the waterway system must reinvent itself. It must be further developed with appropriate investment and funding across countries and nations. The transformation of ports into a green inland waterway corridor on the Rhine and efficient waterways are central and indispensable in times of climate change.’
Source(in German):
https://www.umwelt.nrw.de/rheinkonferenz-2025-anliegerlaender-stellen-duesseldorf-perspektiven-der-nachhaltigen
CCNR publishes its 2025 Annual report
Annual Report 2025 by CCNR
The 2025 Annual Report on inland navigation in Europe by the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) has been recently published.
The year 2024 experienced a modest recovery in global trade and inland waterway transport (IWT) following a turbulent 2023. Reduced inflation in advanced economies contributed to stabilising consumer prices and logistics costs, despite ongoing high operational costs for freight operators. IWT struggled with weak industrial output and changing trade patterns, though some market segments stabilised as supply chains improved. Global trade volumes increased by approximately +3.3%, but strong short-term rebounds are unlikely due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and protectionist measures, including new U.S. tariffs. The trend of “friendshoring” further disrupted traditional trade flows.
Read the full report on the CCNR’s publication page by clicking here, available in English, French, German and Dutch
EGTC Rhine-Alpine: Reflecting on a Year of Collaboration, and Embracing Opportunities Ahead in 2026!
Symbolic picture by Clint Patterson on Unsplash
The Interregional Alliance for the Rhine-Alpine Corridor EGTC thanks all its members and the entire corridor community for the good partnership and cooperation in 2025!
This past year was marked by diligent and comprehensive work with our Members. For the past two years, the EGTC Rhine-Alpine has worked intensively with the members and the Corridor community, both online and offline. This culminated in the publication of the Strategy 2025-2030 “The Heartbeat of a Vital Network”.
We now look forward to exciting activities and projects with you in 2026 and especially to both deepening and expanding the involvement of members and Corridor participants with the implementation of the Action Plan.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
