The objective is to develop inland waterways transport infrastructure projects on the Core Network of the TEN-T.

Studies on inland waterways related to:

• upgrade of waterways and related infrastructure such as locks and weirs/dams in order to achieve stable or improved navigation conditions, performance and/or more capacity for the passage of vessels or to ensure good navigation status;
• creation of new waterways and related infrastructure (locks, weirs/dams, bridges);
• construction/lifting/upgrading of locks and movable bridges, to improve the passage of vessels and convoys;
• automation of waterway infrastructure (e.g. locks, weirs/dams, bridges) to improve its operation and monitoring;
• increasing of under-bridge clearance;
• ensuring year-round navigability e.g. by means of hydrological services, ice-breaking facilities and capital dredging;
• waterside infrastructure including the creation and/or upgrade of infrastructure for mooring and waterborne operations along a waterway;
• interconnection between inland waterways and maritime transport.

Studies on inland ports related to:

• access, including safe access through navigational aids, of inland ports to inland waterways;
• basic and water-side infrastructure in inland ports, including shore-side electricity supply;
• port reception facilities for oil and other waste (including residues from exhaust gas cleaning systems) and infrastructure for degassing vessels to meet environmental requirements;
• providing or improving road/rail access and connections within inland ports;
• ensuring year-round navigability by means of e.g. hydrological services, ice-breaking facilities and dredging of the port and port approaches.

Water-side infrastructure development projects shall mean infrastructure that enhances the navigability capacity in the meaning of Articles 15 and 16 of the Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 or improves the multimodal connection of waterborne transport operations. This excludes infrastructure that does not directly benefit waterborne transport operations.

Support will not be given to infrastructure dedicated to cruise ships, except as regards shore-side electricity supply .

Hinterland connections to the inland ports are covered by the respective transport mode priorities but may be part of a single Action (for instance an Action improving the rail access both within and outside the port area).

In accordance with Article 9(2)(a)(i) of the CEF Regulation, Actions addressing the Core Network may include related elements on the Comprehensive Network, when necessary to optimize the investment. These elements may form up to 10% of the total eligible costs of the Action and shall be presented as a separate work package.

Facilities and infrastructure supported under CEF must be accessible for use by all operators on a non-discriminatory basis.

The foreseen duration of the action should be 2-3 years maximum.