WORLD WIDE WATERWAYS No. 33 - January 2020 - Journal of Inland Waterways International - ISTN
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Inland Waterways International
WORLD WIDE WATERWAYS
No. 33 - January 2020
Journal of Inland Waterways International
Published by IWI, Ingles Manor, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2RD, United Kingdom
01
INLAND WATERWAYS INTERNATIONAL
WE WISH ALL OUR MEMBERS A that the AGM was not held at the WCC venue. It World Wide Waterways – No. 33
VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR! was an opportunity to get together and spend January 2020
On this occasion, a reminder : membership more time than in the maëlstrom of a World Canals
CONTENTS
subscriptions are due in January each year. Conference. The president’s report underlined the
We are grateful to all members who have intense activity over the year 2018, updated for the IWI activities – WCC – AGM in London . . . . . 2
already paid by standing order or through current year, covering BOOT Düsseldorf in January, President’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
our online shop. The payment gateway PIANC’s Navigating a Changing Climate coalition, Yangzhou celebrates the Grand Canal . . . . . 4
was changed in late 2019 so that the credit preparations for the World Canals Conference, Inland Waterways Pavilion at boot 2020
card solution is now provided through the work of our committee on Alternative Fuels Exhibitors’ directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Stripe instead of WorldPay. You may still in Inland Navigation, the Green WIN project led World Waterways News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
use PayPal if you prefer, but the charges by the Canal and River Trust, publications, tours
IWAI celebrates Ireland’s canals . . . . . . . . . . 22
to us are higher with PayPal. Thank you in and the regular business of publications and
Erie Canal re-imagined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
advance for your continued support, and a membership. The Alternative Fuels Committee
warm welcome to the new members listed has engaged with Venice partners in setting up an Grand Canal panorama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
below, from 8 different countries ! e-regatta in June 2020 (see p.15) to assist in accel-
erating energy transition for boats in the Venice World Wide Waterways is published for
lagoon. The project is coordinated by IWI corporate members of Inland Waterways International
WCC in Yangzhou members VeniceAgenda 2028 and Venti di Cultura. Editors: Di Harris, Bob Naylor
O
ur last issue ( www32) was printed in IWI acts as a patron for the event, supporting its News editor: Tomáš Kolařík
Nanjing and delivered to the WCCO in objectives and chairing a round table on energy Email: editor@inlandwaterwaysinternational.org
Yangzhou in time for distribution at the transition. Comments and opinions expressed in IWI’s publications
World Canals Conference starting on September Norman Smith’s financial report recorded a deficit are those of the authors, named or otherwise, and do not
27. Janet Gascoigne reports on the spectacular in 2018 for the third year running, related to the necessarily reflect the position of the Association as a whole.
event, its presentations and site visits on pages heavy investment made in Boot in particular, but
4-5. Collaboration with the World Canal Cities pointed to a significant surplus about to be shown ment. We are grateful to CRT for kindly giving us
Organisation continues, and we look forward to in the accounts for 2019. The turn-round was their time, and for the hospitality in the Three Mills
meeting a strong delegation from Yangzhou and achieved thanks to the Inland Waterways Pavilion Lock control building.
other Grand Canal cities in Leipzig at this year’s in Düsseldorf, which has made this event a source
WCC. Highlights during the event were the launch of profit for the association after being a ‘loss-
of the Gazetteer of the Canals of China, and the leader’ in the first three years.
premiere of the People’s Canal Carnival in the park Rudy Van der Ween was elected second Vice- Welcome to new members
close to Slender West Lake. Valuable new contacts President. Corporate
were made, Yangzhou’s new 200-seater waterbus Before the regular business of the AGM the Bergmann USA
was tested, and a visit was made to the Gaozhou delegates from Bydgoszcz gave a presentation of Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina UK
Ancient Ferry Terminal park with its interpretation the city as the venue for the WCC in 2022. Under Cruising Association UK
centre and new landscaping. Any Other Business, Catriona Hilliard presented an Navicula Assn. of Elblag Canal Admirers Poland
original copy of the decree signed exactly 60 years Navisaimaa Finland
AGM in London ago, putting an end to commercial carrying on Schleusenverein Switzerland
Our AGM in London on November 25 was attended Ireland’s Grand Canal (see p. 22). Wijma Kampen Netherlands
by 25 members. This was the first time for 20 years Individual
CRT offers guided tour Thaddaeus Babb, Oklahoma City, OK USA
The next day, Canal and River Trust staff members Eric Fisher, Midlothian VA USA
Dean Bennet and Rob White met the IWI party Liz Frazer, Braunston UK
at the Cruising Association HQ and escorted a Catriona Hilliard, Tullamore Ireland
walking tour along the Limehouse Cut over to Bow Martin Ludgate, London UK
locks and on to the fascinating Three Mills site. Jeff Scott Pereira, London UK
Dicks and other operating staff welcomed us here Jürgen Rohweder, Stein Germany
and showed the Three Mills Lock and its equip-
Roger Squires (left) prepares
to lead AGM attendees on a
walking tour of East London’s
canal ring : Jane O’Dea,
Sandra Purves, Norman
Smith, David Edwards-May,
Locaboat’s Evolution hireboat at Weesp Colin Becker, Charlie Helliwell,
on the river Vecht in front of the ‘Molen Geoff and Audrey Harman,
De Vriendschap’ windmill. This model, David Wadham (hidden),
with its diesel-electric drive, is on show on Leszek Woźniak, Sharon
our Inland Waterways Pavilion at BOOT Leighton, Roger O’Dea, Daria
Düsseldorf from January 18-26. Kieraszewicz and Catriona
Locaboat Holidays Hilliard. © Duncan Hay
2 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020
President’s notes
T he last few months have whizzed by,
and here we are in January 2020, the
month where we beat our drum on the
world’s nautical stage at BOOT Düsseldorf.
enjoyed the visits and two separate cruises in
Hangzhou, imagined by member Christian
Fardel, and the guided tour to the mind-
boggling Huai’an aqueduct/siphon structure
Our statements about the value of inland and waterway cross-roads, China’s answer to
waterways as living heritage are more impor- Minden on the Mittelland Kanal in Germany.
tant than ever ! We are taking the opportu-
nity to print a magazine that we hope our PIANC’s Smart Rivers Just days after Erie Canal under threat? We report (p.23)
members will enjoy, bringing together our returning from Yangzhou, it was time to pack on the exciting plans announced on January
regular content and the Inland Waterways my bags again, for the much shorter journey 6 to revitalise the Erie Canal as a magnet for
Pavilion exhibitor’s directory (pp 7-18), listing to Lyon. The Smart Rivers conference was tourism and business throughout upstate New
more than 100 current corporate members. another memorable event, with about 120 York. Governor Andrew Cuomo presented a
That is in itself a statement, and a tribute to presentations in up to five separate strands. $300 million investment plan, which promised
the vision of past president Dave Ballinger It is easy to become dizzy even thinking concrete results for many people and virtu-
who 10 years ago saw the need for IWI to about where to go ! And when the dust ally all user interests. An inkling of what was
expand in continental Europe, at a time settles after the event, it’s the people you’ve being prepared had come to my attention in
when the membership was overwhelm- met that have left a more indelible impres- December, when I read Mike Riley’s piece in
ingly from the English-speaking world. Now sion than the science you have learned. I the American Canal Society’s Fall Newsletter.
nearly two thirds of our corporate members was impressed by the work presented by the Writing about the competition to reimagine
are from continental Europe. This owes a lot Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, who how the canals could be used (launched at
to the efforts of our European projects officer will host the next Smart Rivers conference in the WCC in Syracuse in 2017), he observed
Peter Linssen and of course our presence October 2021. Their presentation of Nanjing ‘the winners were chosen and announced, and
in Düsseldorf since 2016. I look forward and the Chinese Waterways Development someone was heard to say that if the State
to meeting as many members as possible were to weld the lock-gates closed, the winners
during the show on January 18-26, where the of the competition would not be affected. In
inland waterways sector will be concentrated ‘Dancing with the barges’ other words, the winners had little to do with
in one area of Hall 13, including no less than on China’s Grand Canal the canal as a canal. […] A series of events
five hire boats. This should help to attract a were held to hear from the public on how to
greater flow of motivated visitors. reimagine the canals, and with these came
Strategy was fascinating, and we hope to be more rumours that the ultimate focus might
WCC Yangzhou Looking back on the past able to summarise the content of their video be to close parts of [the system].’ With that
year, China was the main focus in the lead up in a future issue. Most presentations were on background, the package of measures now to
to the WCC in Yangzhou in September. The technical and engineering research, projects be funded by the New York Power Authority
event was a great success and enjoyed by all and solutions, although tourism and recrea- leaves a number of questions unanswered.
participants, as reported by Janet Gascoigne tional uses of the waterways were covered Has the risk of closing the canal as a through
on pp 4-6. In retrospect, combining the event by some speakers. A session devoted to route been averted ? We hope so, but even
with the Cultural Canal Carnival was benefi- African rivers gave a valuable insight into the the renderings of the future canal landscapes
cial for outreach and media impact, although current state of navigability, for example on systematically avoid the canal’s initial function
it forced several IWI delegates to change or the Niger, but the reality of climate change of carrying loads of up to 2700 tonnes.
cancel their planned tour. We are grateful is weighing down on these navigations, on David Edwards-May, January 2020
to our hosts, the WCCO, for their efforts to which so many communities depend, even
compensate for the inconvenience caused by more heavily than on the rivers in Europe and A pedestrian walkway draped around one of the 19
the change of dates. In particular, they reim- the Americas. guard gates on the Erie Canal : one of the ideas presented
bursed all the extra costs incurred. The launch by the consultants to make the Erie Canal more attrac-
of the Gazetteer of the Canals of China was a tive for tourists. Reimagine the Canals Task Force
spectacular affair, and we include some stills
from the stunning video on the back page.
My personal thanks also go to WCCO
Secretary General Qing Deng and her
assistant Vicky Li for all their help in
making our pre-conference tour of Grand
Canal sites so rewarding. Cruising down
the Grand Canal’s Suzhou bypass in
the canal authority’s inspection launch
苏航政002 Su Hang Zheng or ‘Jiangsu
Navigation Authority’ was a truly unforget-
table experience, like ‘dancing with the
barges’. This was almost surreal, as was our
arrival at the famous Baodai (Precious Belt)
towpath bridge, a site visited by founder Ron
Oakley’s tour in 1989. Our group of seven
disembarked here onto a red carpet ! We also
World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 3
WCC 2019 YANGZHOU
WCC Yangzhou celebrates the Grand Canal
Yangzhou, designated cultural capital of Canal has undergone enlargements, widening, IV, carrying building materials and countless
East Asia in 2019, was proud to host the straightening, closure and reopening. Its other products, including containers.
World Canals Conference for the second original course followed a delta shape linking The subtitle of the conference was ‘The Role
time on September 26-28. Janet Gascoigne Hangzhou on the Qiantang River northwest of Canals in City Betterment and Ecological
reports on the event, which followed a towards Luoyang and then north-east to Restoration’, and many of the presentations
six-day tour to sites along the Grand Canal Beijing, a total of over 2300 km. focused on using the heritage aspects of the
from Hangzhou to Huai’an. built canal environment in regeneration of
Hundreds of millions of tonnes cities and also in the preservation and devel-
A
t 1863 km long and 2500 years old Currently the canal is not navigable north opment for tourism of the smaller networks
the China Grand Canal breaks all canal of Jining due to siltation and problems with of canals to be founded in canal cities such as
records and puts European water- water supply, as well as the impossibility of Nanjing and Suzhou.
ways in the shade. The 2019 World Canals crossing the temperamental Yellow River, but There is in several cities a physical segre-
Conference (WCC) was held in Yangzhou in there are plans to try and reinstate navigation gation of these ‘heritage canals’ from the
Jiangsu Province on the banks of the Grand at least some distance north from the Jining commercial waterway, on which pleasure
Canal near its crossing of the Yangtze River. limit. Today the sections south of Jining are boats are not allowed. It was interesting to
This is the oldest section of the canal, built busy with barge traffic of all shapes and sizes note that the Chinese for ‘canal’ is made up of
in the 5th century BC. Since then the Grand up to vessels equivalent to European Class the characters for ‘transport’ and ‘river’ and
yet the transportation of freight was hardly
Datong
BEIJING mentioned at the conference. It is as if the vital
Simplified location work of the Grand Canal in carrying hundreds
Tonghui
Canal map of the Grand of millions of tonnes of freight that would
Canal showing the otherwise be on the road is forgotten, unno-
original route via ticed, seen as workday and not something
ins
the former capital that would interest visitors. Currently there
unta
Luoyang and the is no consideration of extending tourism and
Mo
Handan current route. leisure use to the main working Grand Canal.
g
an
Shandong
The entire length
h
Hills
nal
Feeder
Tai
Nanwang
Gazetteer of the Canals of China
Ca
li
ng Jining north of the Yellow
Yo
low Riv Huitong
Yel er Canal
Weishan Lake River is no longer A highlight of the WCC was the launch
Luoyang Kaifeng intact; only vestiges of the ‘Gazetteer of the Grand Canal’: a
n Yangqu [H
on To
Canal ggo ngj remain. Commercial massive project comprising 9 volumes (11
u an i Can Xuzhou Huai’an
d Bia al traffic stops at Jining, tomes) that compiles the results of more
n Ca
nal] East
Hongze Lake China as the canal is heavily than 10 years of research. 1. Overview and
Gaoyou Lake
Hangou Canal
Sea siilted north of there Chronicles – 2. Canals in Antique Maps (we
Yangzhou
r to the Nanwang enjoyed a preview of this volume when we
Huai Rive Nanjing Changzhou
Wuxi feeder system. The met the publisher Phoenix Science Press in
Jiangnan Suzhou
er Canal shaded areas show Hangzhou on September 18) – 3. Waterway
Dabie Shan Riv Taihu SHANGHAI
Yichang Mountains tze Lake Jiaxing where the Yellow River Engineering and Management – 4. Shipping
ng
Hangzhou has flowed across the and Transportation – 5. Towns and Cities – 6.
Ya
Huang Shan
Society and Culture – 7. Historical Figures – 8.
er ng
coastal plain over the
Mountains n Shaoxing Ningbo
Riv ta
0 100km
Yueyang Historical Literature (I, II and III) – 9. Special
a
Guiji Shan centuries.
Qi
4 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020
WCC 2019 YANGZHOU
Launch of the Gazetteer during the plenary session
of the WCC on September 27
A traditional long tow heading north on the Grand
Canal at Huai’an crosses the junction with the Huai River
Navigation. This is the exceptional viewpoint from the locks – with the ‘greening’ of inland water WCC delegates board the impressive new passenger
footbridge at the Huai’an aqueduct/siphon structure. transport, and the Netherlands. The calibre of boat acquired by the city to serve as a waterbus
The inset is an advertisement for Yangzhou seen in the the speakers and presence of such high-level along the old Grand Canal through the city.
November 4 issue of the Toronto Star. dignitaries demonstrates the high standing of
the conference and the importance given to deep main line that bypasses the city to the
Resources. Before publishing this monumental waterways heritage in China. east. Visits for delegates included boat trips on
work, Phoenix Scientific Press had already the old canal and the Slender West Lake, both
produced a number of books about the Grand Tourism potential untapped of which have tourist boats but no private hire
Canal, although currently these are all in The joint opening event on the Thursday boats. This would seem to be a huge opportu-
Chinese. IWI’s president David Edwards-May evening included a spectacular display of nity for tourism on the Grand Canal in China.
has been commissioned to edit/rewrite Li singing and dancing, covering the history of the David’s opening address on September 27 also
Denan’s single volume summary of the gazet- Grand Canal. This was followed by a parade of underlined the international tourist’s enthu-
teer under the title China’s Grand Canal: illuminated boats on a section of the old canal siasm for discovering the world’s busiest canal.
Mirror of Civilisation. We look forward to this route through Yangzhou which otherwise has The organisers (the Ministry of Culture and
addition to what is a very limited library of no boats, as commercial traffic uses the wide Tourism and Jiangsu Province) arranged
literature in English on the Grand Canal.
High-level speeches Gaozhou Lock south of
The conference, held in conjunction with Yangzhou, on the old Grand
the WCCO’s annual forum, was attended by Canal. The visitor experience
about 400 delegates from around the world. here does not yet include the
It started with a WCC technical programme lock itself.
on September 26, in the Shangri La Hotel,
hosted by Wang Jinquan, Dean of International
Studies. It included addresses by Liu Yuitong, A tribute to Grand Canal
vice-mayor of Yangzhou, and presentations boatmen was one of the capti-
on culture, tourism and intangible heritage on vating scenes during the show
the Chinese canals by Ma Qianli of Yangzhou to launch the Canal Carnival.
University and Christian Fardel, and examples The show was to run for several
of canal heritage and tourism in Canada, Ghent, nights after the première on
and Suez. September 27.
The plenary sessions on 27th were in the
Jinghang Congress Centre, and included
addresses from our president, Wu Zhengdong,
Governor of Jiangsu Province, Juan Carlos
Varela, former President of Panama, represent-
atives from the canal cities of Hangzhou and
Jining and Luo Shugang, Minister of Culture
and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China.
The next session, after the launch of the
Gazetteer, had a keynote speech from WCCO
Chairman Zhu Minyang, a feature on water-
ways restoration in Ghent from our vice-pres-
ident Rudy Van der Ween and a lively presenta-
tion from Scottish Canals. There were contri-
butions from Chinese cities, as well as Finland,
notable for the combination of infrastructure
project – lengthening of the Saimaa Canal
World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 5
WCC YANGZHOU CHINA
an impressive conference with high-profile Next stop, Leipzig! The Jiangsu Navigation Authority’s inspection launch
speakers including the Minister Luo Shugang The WCC in 2020 will be held in Leipzig, leaves the improvised mooring at Baodai bridge after
and many regional and local dignitaries. We Germany, focusing on the old lignite mine the 11 km cruise down the canal from their offices on the
enjoyed the programme of visits, although workings now repurposed for boating, and on western side of Suzhou.
none of these included any trip or visits to sites plans to restore the Saale-Elster Canal linking The tour group and accompanying
on the main commercial Grand Canal. Leipzig with the river Saale and thus the personalities from Suzhou during the cruise.
Prior to the main WCC, some delegates connected waterways network. The delegation The Huai’an aqueduct, footbridge
from France and the UK had been fortunate from Leipzig made an enticing presentation and viewing tower on the western side.
enough to form their own impressions of the at Yangzhou and delegates look forward to an
modern Grand Canal and its amazing struc- equally interesting and action-packed event in
tures, including Hangzhou, Suzhou, Huai’an Germany next year. Janet Gascoigne.
and Nanjing. The amount of freight carried is
impressive. One set of locks, at Shaobo north
of Yangzhou, holds the record for passing The Huai’an Junction distinguishing navigable and non-
more than a million tonnes of cargo in one day. navigable waters showing the aqueduct/siphon struc-
ture just north of the junction with the Subei Irrigation
Suzhou cruise General Canal, which means that it is also an important
Our first full day in Suzhou included the high- navigation. dem/Xingming Zhong
light of the whole trip: a trip on the Grand
Canal from the Transport Ministry Waterways
Department depot to the famous “precious Jining upstream limit
of navigation on Grand Canal
belt” bridge. The craft was 苏航政 (Su Hang
Zheng) 002, the inspection launch of the
Jiangsu Navigation Authority. Mixing it with Flood
divers
constant stream of barges was exhilarating ion ch
annel Aqueduct/siphon
800 m3/s
(despite the rain !) and was probably a unique Huaih
e Sea
N
Entry
experience for Western tourists. We were way
Viewing towers and footbridge
Subei
also able to have a Q and A session with our Irrigati
on Ge
neral
Canal
escorts from the Publicity Department of the
Hung-tse Lake
CPC Suzhou Municipal Committee: Gao Ping, and Huaihe River upstream
Wang Gang, Zhang Lan and Zhou Manqun, Subei
Huaih
e Sea
Pumping Irrigati Entryw
and from the Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office: Jin stations on G ay
eneral
Canal
Ming. Our thanks go to all our hosts here, and Lock
to the staff of the Suzhou Water and Suzhou Biandan Port
East China Sea
Transportation Bureaux, for making this
amazing trip happen.
South-North
Huai’an ‘spaghetti junction’ Water Transfer
Intake Canal
The aqueduct at Huai’an was another high-
light. The visit revealed it to be a huge siphon,
designed to pass 800 m3/s of Huai river flood Huai’an
Locks
water. Huai’an also had a remarkable canal
museum, recommended to us by our Chinese
waterways specialist Edith Bronder. The
maquettes reproducing scenes of engineering Yangzhou and
Yangtze River 0 1 km
and pageants on the canal were superb.
-45°
6 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020
Inland Waterways Pavilion 2020
18-26 January – Exhibitors’ Directory
Hall 13 – D73 D73 is the highly visible central location
of the Inland Waterways Pavilion, on
the main route through Hall 13
Across the aisle will be boats designed and built by
Les Canalous (France, F73), Locaboat (France/Nether-
F73 lands, F67) and Linssen Yachts (Netherlands, F63).
F67 63
F
These adjacent stands welcome inland waterway
1
D6 exhibitors and IWI corporate members Le Boat
9 (D61), Kuhnle Werft (D59) and Kuhnle Tours (D57).
D5 57
60 D
to
Hall
12
T
he Inland Waterways Pavilion at
boot Düsseldorf 2020, assembled by
IWI, builds on the success of the 2019 Come and meet the
m
edition, inviting visitors to discover fro ll 14 European Waterways
family! (hopefully
H a extending to North
exciting destinations across Europe from America in 2021)
Also on the central aisle opposite Kuhnle
France to Serbia, hopefully expanding Werft is Waterway Tourism Initiative of
to North America in 2021. The Inland Northern Brandenburg (WinTO, D60).
Waterways Pavilion is located in the middle
of Hall 13, with a special focus on self-drive A. Waterway authorities
hireboat holidays. As shown on the hall
layout diagram above, several of the leading increase that figure by nearly 3% per annum.
hireboat companies will be present on and Waterways are also a source of life and anima-
around the pavilion, promoting a high- tion. Multifunctionality is the key to success :
quality and sustainable boating lifestyle on energy from hydropower, space for recreation
new innovative boats.
Discover these destinations at our Inland
Waterways Pavilion : meet bodies in charge
D e Vlaamse Waterweg nv (Flemish
Waterways) manages all the waterways in
Flanders (Belgium). The ambitions are wide-
and tourism, as well as the transport function.
The greatest care is taken in ecological and
landscape impacts of all works. [Stand 4]
of the inland waterways, or the local and ranging, encompassing all the functions of a vlaamsewaterweg.be
regional authorities that are developing the vibrant waterway network, from high-capacity
use of these resources. Meet associations inland water transport to tourism and recrea- Other waterway authorities
that are promoting a ‘new deal’ for the tion, including flood protection and other envi- IWI represents the interests of inland waterway
waterways in Serbia and Brandenburg, ronmental benefits. De Vlaamse Waterweg authorities across the globe, from Ireland to India,
where the tourism potential remains aims to provide a multifaceted and fully navi- from Sweden to New York State, Canada and Nigeria.
underdeveloped. gable waterway network, to be increasingly Many are national authorities, while others manage
The other exhibitors and partners in attractive for inland water transport. regional networks or individual waterways.
the pavilion offer products, services and In all De Vlaamse Waterweg nv takes care Association of Inland Waterway Authorities UK
information that cover European inland of 1076 km of canals and rivers, 131 locks, Canal and River Trust UK
waterways as a whole. A whole world to 800 bridges, 195 km of quay walls, 1100 km Dalslands Kanal AB Sweden
discover and enjoy ! of banks, 2046 km of towpaths and almost Göta Kanalbolag AB Sweden
This section of WWW33 introduces 6600 ha of public land along its waterways. Inland Waterways Authority of India India
members and readers to the co-exhibitors, Currently, the most important infrastruc- National Inland Waterways Authority Nigeria
also listing all our current corporate ture projects are modernisation of the Albert New York State Canal Corporation USA
members in the different categories : Canal and implementation of the Seine- Parks Canada Canada
(a) Waterway authorities, (b) Boats and Scheldt project in Flanders. Ředitelství vodních cest ČR Czech Republic
waterway tourism providers, (c) Local The organisation also invests in the develop- Scottish Canals UK
and regional authorities, (d) Associations, ment of industrial zones along the waterways, Sjöfartsverket Sweden
societies, trusts, foundations and (e) including the construction of quay walls (with Státni Plavební Správa Czech Republic
Publishers, media, consultants, industry. private enterprises). The system currently Vode Vojvodine PWMC Serbia
The volunteers staffing the IWI lounge will relieves the region’s roads of 3.5 million Voies Navigables de France France
be supporting all our members. ¢ lorry movements annually, and it is hoped to Waterways Ireland Ireland
World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 7
Discover Europe’s
inland waterways Inverness
Scotland
Falkirk Wheel
EDINBURGH
Glasgow
Forth and Clyde Canal at Kilsyth
Belfast
Athlone
Nieuwpoort Lock
DUBLIN
Liverpool
Nottingham
Birmingham
Amsterdam
I
nland waterways offer enormous value CARDIFF
and benefits to society : mostly built
over a period of about 250 years from
LONDON
Flanders
the mid-17th century to the end of the
19th century, they now serve a wide range of
functions as water resources and corridors
of biodiversity, while allowing local people Lille
Lille
BRUSSEL
Li
and visitors from near and far to enjoy the
unique experience of discovering landscapes,
towns and cities from the water. A whole
world to discover and enjoy ! And countless
new opportunities for business and creation
of jobs.
This simplified map, based on the European PARIS
Waterways Map published by Transmanche
(p.17), shows a vast and complex network in
many parts of Europe, which is a long way
from being used to its full potential. ¢
Nantes
France
Lyon
Bordeaux
2 Toulouse Ferrières-les-R
Canal du Midi in autumn Marseille
8 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020
English narrowboats cross Håverud aqueduct
Gdansk
Barge moored on the Finow Kanal at Eberswalde
Hamburg
Szczecin Bydgoszcz
Brandenburg
BERLIN
WARSZAWA
Saxony Leipzig
Düsseldorf
imburg WCC 2020
Frankfurt-am-Main
PRAHA
Cospuden Lock in Leipzig’s ‘New Lake District’
Stuttgart
BRATISLAVA
Strasbourg WIEN
BUDAPEST
On the Zuidwillemsvaart in Maastricht
Novi Sad
ZAGREB
Milano Venezia
BEOGRAD
Serbia
Ray, Petite Saône 3
Darsena Grande at the Arsenale docks, Venice, base for World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 9
the e-Regata on June 3-6, 2020
Zrenjanin, river Tamiš
BOOT DÜSSELDORF 2020
B. Boats and waterway tourism
The Propriétaire and Premium fleets are the
boats that offer the greatest live-aboard comfort
and the widest range of services. The Classic
fleet offers a good compromise between price
A qua Libra Yachtcharter is a boat hire
firm based in the Maasplassen or ‘Meuse
lakes’ area of Flanders close to the Dutch
and a convivial atmosphere on board. The
Access fleet covers boats for all, with the French
label tourisme et handicap. Finally, the Low Cost
K uhnle Tours offers houseboats for rental
in several of the most exciting cruising
destinations in Europe. The company, long-
border, an ideal starting point for boating fleet consists of simply-designed boats at low established at Müritz in the heart of the
holidays in the heart of Europe. From here prices. Whether customers want to cruise for Mecklenburg lake district, sets great store by
clients can head off north, west or south, to a weekend, a few days or one to several weeks, providing the cruising experience that will
discover historic towns in the Netherlands Les Canalous offers tailor-made stays adapted most completely fulfil the client’s aspirations.
and Belgium, such as Roermond, Maastricht, to their expectations and budget. See more on They are accustomed to handling novices and
Den Bosch, Liège, Namur, Dinant and many the first website below. For those who would experienced seafarers, fishing and cycling
more. Founder Luc Vanthoor is proud of the like to buy a boat, Les Canalous offers both new enthusiasts, families, couples or groups of
wealth of the regional gastronomy and the rich and second-hand boat for sale (see the second friends. Whether looking for nature, culture
cultures of Limburg, Flanders and Wallonia. website). [Stands 5 and f73] or action, or just peace and quiet, they aim to
Highlights are the Belgian Ardennes and the www.lescanalous.com www.bateau.fr make the client’s dream holiday come true on
Dutch Biesbosch, and countless historical their houseboat.
cities in the southern Netherlands. Aqua Libra The company operates 13 charter bases in
is partner of the Linssen Boating Holidays® different regions of Germany, France, Poland
network, and offers all-inclusive rental to and the Netherlands, offering a remarkable
the highest standards, with Linssen yachts.
[Sponsor ‘Day of the Canals’] aqua-libra.be H ausboot Irland is the marketing name
for Carrickcraft and Waveline Cruisers
aimed at German clients for these fleets,
diversity of landscapes. Undeveloped rivers,
vast lakes or secluded canals? Each area has its
own charm and merits, but there will always
which are part of the Locaboat Holidays be great diversity, on and around the water.
family. Ireland is renowned as one of Europe’s The charter fleet consists of 52 types of boats.
premier destinations for inland cruising From a small picnic boat for an afternoon
holidays. With lush green countryside, silvery excursion to the 25-tonne ‘barge’ for the long-
L es Canalous is one of the biggest cruising
boat builders and rental companies in
France, with 38 years’ experience. It offers
rivers, rich heritage and a warm welcome,
Ireland offers a unique experience. From
Belleek at the tip of Lough Erne to Killaloe at
distance cruise, from the cosy two-person
cabin cruiser to the large ‘yacht’ with 12
berths, Kuhnle now has 160 boats in its cata-
a wide range of licence-free canal and river the southern end of the Shannon, there are logue. [Stands d57/d59 and Sponsor]
boats, for return or one-way trips throughout 300 miles of interconnecting rivers and lakes. www.kuhnle-tours.com
France and Europe. The boats are available Navigation between the North and South of
for 2 to 12 people, and with 1 to 6 cabins. The Ireland was made possible by the re-opening
models are divided into six different fleets. of the Shannon-Erne Waterway linking the
two great rivers. One-way cruises are possible.
LaPéniche S is the model exhibited on stand f73 www.hausbootirland.de
[‘Day of the Canals’ sponsor]
L e Boat is the number one provider of
license-free boating vacations on the beau-
tiful rivers, lakes and canals of Europe and
Canada. Founded 50 years ago in 1969, it has
the world’s largest fleet of luxury houseboats
and the widest choice of destinations to choose
J onkers Yachts are generous sponsors of
this year’s ‘Day of the Canals’ on January 20.
Founder Alexander Jonkers and his team are
from. Le Boat’s 60-page brochure details the
products available in 2020, with 940 boats
available across 17 regions in 9 countries. The
agents for Linssen Yachts, Fairline Yachts and stand adjacent to the Inland Waterways Pavilion
Jeanneau, renowned for their craftsmanship, features a Horizon 1 model. Since 2016 the
The Électrique fleet breaks new ground by pioneering technology and top quality mate- Horizon series has been exclusively built for
being 100% electric. LaPéniche S is the display rials. The company, based in Ouddorp, South Le Boat by Delphia Yachts, Poland.
model, with a traditional form that blends into Holland, delivers both new and ‘pre-owned’ ‘What makes our vacations so memorable is
the surrounding countryside easily, while at motor or sailing yachts. The service is not our ability to help boaters find truly special
the same time being inarguably modern. The limited to purchasing and selling; the company moments : the unexpected turn where you
boat is silent and does not pollute, combining also acts as a service centre for maintenance emerge upon a beautiful oasis and wildlife,
respect for the environment and great and winter storage, and advises on financing, cruising into a small Italian village and discov-
comfort : five cabins and four bathrooms make insurance, mooring and yacht transport. ering a surprise festival with music and tasting
it ideal for larger groups or families. [‘Day of the Canals’ sponsor] great food with local restaurateurs, or cruising
www.jonkers.org the Burgundy Region and enjoying award-
10 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020EXHIBITORS’ DIRECTORY
The Horizon 1 model (here on one
of the many beautiful lakes on the
Rideau Canal) is the one shown on
Le Boat’s Stand d61
© Holger Leue V isitors to boot Düsseldorf can look
forward to a world first: from January 18
to 26, they will experience the Pénichette®
Évolution at stand e71. This new model
combines the unique features of the previous
Locaboat models : very easy to control and
manœuverable like the Pénichette® Classique,
equipped with a rear terrace like the Pénichette®
Terrasse and a double steering position inside
and outside as in the Flying Bridge models.
winning wines from the deck of your boat.’ fluctuations than is usual in the market. Clients Tradition and modern technology make this
Le Boat is expanding its operations in Canada have a reliable and healthy partner in Linssen boat a unique model. Inside there is a real
in 2020. The Rideau Canal will have more Yachts who will continue to provide them with innovation with a modular living and sleeping
Horizon cruisers at its base in Smiths Falls, advice and assistance even after a couple of area for two to four people.
bringing the Canadian fleet to a total of 24 decades. [Stand f73 and sponsor]
Premier Horizon cruisers ranging from two www.linssenyachts.com
cabins to five. The coming cruising season will
also see more models of Le Boat´s new largest
premier cruiser, the Horizon 5, in the fleet and
its introduction into Ireland. [Stand d61]
www.leboat.com www.leboat.de
A n offshoot from the boatbuilding
company Linssen Yachts, LBH is a Europe-
wide network of hire boat operators, all inde-
pendent and passionate about seeing the world
from the water as a unique experience. The The new Évolution cruising in the Netherlands
W ith 70 years of experience building
motor yachts, Linssen knows that the
purchase of a motor yacht as an asset is an
operators make their clients feel like guests.
LBH has a strong presence at the leading Boat
Shows, which clients regularly visit to book
During the day an open, light-flooded
room for everyday life on board, which can
important moment. Financial, technical and their cruising holiday for the coming year. be converted in a few simple steps into two
practical considerations each have their own The Linssen Boating Holidays® partners have double cabins for the night. This makes the
weight in the selection and decision-making shared enthusiasms. They genuinely love life Evolution® the smartest houseboat in the
process. Clients want certainty about the boat afloat, and they are satisfied only with the best Locaboat fleet.
herself, but also about the supplier, who is quality. They opted for Linssen motor yachts This model has the new ‘Lippcon®’ drive
effectively the boatowner’s partner. The quali- for guaranteed quality, and combine forces in developed by Linssen. A single 17.5 kw gener-
ties of both become apparent after delivery. the knowledge that it will allow them to offer ator provides the power for three uses: driving,
Purchasers also want to have a clear idea of the a better service. They subscribe to the mission mooring and using electricity on board. The
soundness of their investment. statement of Linssen Yachts: ‘We take your 2.2 kw bow thruster and the stern thruster
pleasure seriously’. With a wide and varied make the controls child’s play even for begin-
The Grand Sturdy 30.0 ac is a match for the larger yachts range of charter agencies, the LBH network is ners. The boat also has a shower and separate
in the series, in terms of both comfort and handling. Europe’s biggest provider in this sector. Year electric toilet, a fully equipped kitchen with
after year, by following the expert advice of dedi- fridge, microwave oven, stove and sink, as
cated staff at each base, customers experience well as warm air heating and radio with USB
unforgettable charter
holidays on Linssen
Yachts. [Stand 7]
www.linssen
boatingholidays.
com
The Linssen Yachts brand represents a sound
family business which has been operating in the
yacht building industry on a secure financial
footing since 1949. To demonstrate the dura-
bility of their products in terms of quality and
being a sound investment, Linssen points to The airy saloon of the new
the sale value of pre-owned yachts. A Linssen Grand Sturdy 30.0 AC
retains its value and is subject to fewer price
World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 11BOOT DÜSSELDORF 2020
connection. Another highlight are the three Located in the heart of Limburg’s Maasplassen
outside areas of the boat: stern terrace, bow water sports area, the string of lakes offers
terrace and the flying bridge with outside 3000 ha of water space directly connected to the
steering position. Meuse. The Maasplassen lend themselves to
In 2020, Locaboat Holidays expands the fleet swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, fishing,
by 10 more Pénichette® Evolution boats to a water-skiing and wakeboarding. The charming
total of 38 for the bases in Germany, France town of Wessem has a historic centre with
and Holland. [Stands 6 and f67] cosy cobblestone streets, a promenade along
www.locaboat.com the Meuse River and hospitable waterfront
restaurants. Wessem marina is an excellent
starting point for boaters who want to explore
the region. The unique character of the inland
waterways permeates the Maasplassen, with
the nautical boulevard in Wessem as the
ideal starting point. [stand 1/2]
T he Nautische Boulevard in Wessem on
the Meuse is 8a joint venture of six compa-
nies, offering an innovative service centre for
www.nautischeboulevard.nl
The Heerenlaak Marina in Maaseik
water sports, where boaters’ every needs are
catered for, including boat servicing, repairs Other boat companies in IWI :
and wintering. There are reliable suppliers of
boat accessories and products, visitors can buy
and rent boats, and there is a wide choice of
M arec describes itself as a ‘sea of recrea-
tion’. The company has been operating De
Spaanjerd Marina and Heerenlaak Marina on
The diversity of the inland marine industry is reflected
in our professional membership, covering boat
building and rental, passenger boat operators and
attractive moorings. the Maas since 1980. De Spaanjerd Marina in a complete range of services, from marinas to sales,
The marina has more than 1000 comfort- Kinrooi is especially popular with sailboats insurance and boat transport.
able berths, and box berths for different sizes, and large cabin yachts. There are nearly 1000 Braunston Marina Ltd UK
within walking distance of the town. The port berths for a wide range of vessels from dinghies Castelmoron Nautic France
offers suitable moorings for all kinds of craft. on land to yachts with a maximum length of Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina UK
Regular guests and visiting boats are equally 35 m. Heerenlaak Marina in Maaseik (440 France Fluviale France
welcome. There are both covered parking berths) is on a lake with no speed limit, and Hennings Yacht-Vertrieb GmbH Germany
spaces and outdoor parking spaces. All is particularly attractive to the owners of fast Hobbs of Henley UK
parking spaces are secured. Modern, heated motor boats. Marec is a unique area offering Jachthaven Wetterwille Netherlands
and dust-free halls provide winter parking numerous recreational possibilities on and Loch Lomond Boating Holidays UK
for all types of pleasure boats. The experi- around the water. The marinas are connected Mobiliar Club + Charter Germany
enced Nautical Boulevard experts will take to large lakes, where various water sports such NAUTIV vzw Belgium
care of boat maintenance and repairs. Several as sailing, speed boating and water skiing can NaviSaimaa Finland
companies also offer the possibility of renting be enjoyed. They also are connected to the Nicols (Constructions Nautiques) France
workshop space or a boathouse for owners to international network of navigable waterways. Ontario Waterway Cruises Inc Canada
carry out their own maintenance. Even larger- With its luxurious campsites De Spaanjerd Puur Yacht Charters Germany
scale works – partial or complete renovation, and Heerenlaak, Marec also offers a ‘home Saimaacharter Ltd, Vuokravenho Oy Finland
remodelling or refurbishing – can be under- port’ for campers who appreciate comfort and Shepperton Marina UK
taken here, with all the necessary expertise to high quality facilities. [Stand 3] Tingdene Marinas Ltd UK
be found in one place. www.marec.be Yacht Charter Holiday Tours GmbH Germany
C. Regional/local authorities
integrated into the global economic cycle. lakes, inland waterways and tourist infrastruc-
International science and research are repre- ture on an extraordinary level.
sented as well as a cultural diversity of historic This task – unprecedented in its scale and
sights, traditional culture and innovative art complexity – has brought about a stunning
venues. In addition Leipzig is blessed with change in the landscape, urban environ-
a vast expanse of highly varied green spaces ment as well as social and economic struc-
comprising a dense network of rivers, streams, tures. Hence the theme of the conference :
canals and lakes, that has been constantly reshaping landscapes – waterways in
expanding in recent years. One of Central transition. The City of Leipzig in cooperation
L eipzig, host of this year’s World Canals
Conference, is an urban metropolis – young,
dynamic and green – located about 160 km
Europe’s largest floodplain forests with several
rivers and streams runs right through the
city and is also connected to a broad regional
with Leipziger Messe GmbH and Europäischer
Metropolregion Mitteldeutschland e.V.
is proud to be hosting the World Canals
southwest of Berlin in Eastern Germany. waterway network. Conference in September 2020 (see 4-page
The city now has nearly 600 000 inhabitants, The former lignite mining sites have under- supplement in WWW No. 32.) [stand 00]
and is still growing. The traditional city of gone extensive and laborious remediation www.gruenerring-leipzig.de
commerce, trade shows and industry has been measures to reclaim them: the creation of www.wccleipzig2020.com
12 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020EXHIBITORS’ DIRECTORY
The Weisse Elster in Leipzig-Plagwitz. Passenger boat on the Saale below Bernburg Castle
shore, the amazing terrace cafés, or tasting the
regional food and beverages.
Visitors are warmly invited to Maasgouw, ‘to
T he World Heritage Region of Anhalt-
Dessau-Wittenberg – just one hour from
Berlin and Leipzig – is a region rich in history
T he municipality of Maasgouw is
situated in the heart of the Maasplassen. A
quarter of this area consists of wetland. This
let all your senses be spoiled’! [stand 1/2]
www.gemeentemaasgouw.nl
with four Unesco World Heritage sites : the makes it an ideal base for a boat trip. Old and
Luther memorials in Wittenberg, the Garden new nature reserves are right next to each
Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz, the Bauhaus other in this beautiful rural municipality. The
building in Dessau and the Biosphere Reserve contrast between the natural environment and
of the Middle Elbe. the rich cultural heritage is also remarkable.
Brown coal which once connected the area Wessem’s ancient streets or the fortified town
between Wittenberg and Bitterfeld shaped
the region into a nowadays outstanding land-
scape of industrial culture with flooded former
of Stevensweert (in the foreground of the view
below) attract many tourists every year. The
same goes for Maasbracht, the marine village
T he North Brandenburg Water Tourism
Initiative (win) was founded in 2004 and
is a joint project of the Barnim, Oberhavel and
open strip mining pits that invite people to with its large inland port. Or the Drielingsluis, Ostprignitz-Ruppin districts, the towns of
participate in water sports as in the Goitzsche a lock with a drop of 12 m, the highest in the Eberswalde, Liebenwalde, Neuruppin, Oranien-
Landscape Park. Ferropolis, the former iron Netherlands. Thorn, once a small princi- burg and Templin and the municipalities of
mining area near Gräfenhainichen, is a unique pality where women were in power, is now a Wandlitz and Fehrbellin. The joint project has
open air museum and concert arena, which welcoming ‘white town’ waiting to be explored. strong ties with the neighbouring Mecklenburg
will host the Gala Dinner for the World Canals All these villages can be reached by boat, Lake District.
Conference in 2020. [stand 11] mooring at one of the many jetties or marinas. WIN aims to develop the most attractive
anhalt-dessau-wittenberg.de The extensive Maasplassen are to be enjoyed inland water tourism area in Europe together
by all. Popular activities are meandering with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania by
across the national borders into RivierPark investments in water tourism infrastructure in
Maasvallei, enjoying 150 km of hiking trails on the region between Berlin, Lake Müritz and the
Leipzig Zoo
Congress Centre
restored in 2015
The character of
Maasgouw is summa-
rised in this aerial view of
part of the municipality,
which includes the port
of Maasbracht (right)
and the villages of Heel
(just beyond the conflu-
ence between the Maas
and the Juliana Kanal)
and Horn.
World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 13BOOT DÜSSELDORF 2020
Zerpenschleuse, the new lock on the Finowkanal ‘Langer
Trödel’ section reopened on June 16, 2016
© WIN-AG/Dr. Reinhard Schliebenow, Luftbild Barnim
Brandenburg has announced it will provide up
to 90% funding for the other half. The neces-
sary municipal decisions were made in 2019.
A special purpose association is due to be
formed at the beginning of 2020.
[Stand d60]
www.win-brandenburg.de
Other regional/local authorities in IWI
Local authorities are increasingly investing in the
development of inland waterways that are not under
rivers Havel and Oder, linking the area directly Project 3: Oranienburger Waters/Ruppiner their own jurisidiction. Our members in this category
with Poland via the Finowkanal and the Oder. Canals – Construction of Friedenthal lock to are all engaging with the national or regional
Since 2004, the following projects have been begin in 2020). waterway authorities concerned, in five European
at the centre of the work of the WIN-initiative: Another current project is maintenance of countries, the USA and China.
Project 1: Extension of the Werbellinkanal the motorized navigability of the Finowkanal, Bydgoszcz City Council Poland
(completed in 2011, reopened after renovation the oldest still navigable artificial waterway Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor USA
in 2019); in Germany celebrating its 400th anniver- Escales Fluviales de Bretagne France
Project 2: Expansion of Finowkanal, Section sary in 2020. In a pilot project that is unique Lys Sans Frontières France
‘Langer Trödel’ (opened on June 16, 2016); in Germany, a local authority association will Kempen en Maasland (Regl. Landschap) Belgium
Almost €22 million have been invested in take over, repair and operate the 12 historic Stad Gent - Watertoerisme Belgium
these first two projects. Of this, WIN munic- Finowkanal locks from the federal government Syndicat Mixte de la Vallée du Lot France
ipal partners have contributed approximately in two lock packages. The federal government Town of Hancock, Maryland USA
€8 million. bears half of the investment costs, the state of World Canal Cities Organization (WHCCCCO) China
D. Associations, societies, trusts, foundations
waterways. The 2850km-long Danube flows another 300 km of class RA and RB water-
through the country from km 1433 to km ways in Vojvodina. This Resolution defines
845.65, a length of 587 km. Serbia has about categories for recreational navigation RA, RB,
1860 km of navigable waterways, including RC and RD. The minimum depth required
the network of 693 km of canals and navigable for small recreational craft is 0.50 m. Vode
rivers managed by the public water manage- Vojvodine manages the Danube-Tisa-Danube
ment company Vode Vojvodine. Canal. This extensive canal network in Serbia
D anube Propeller promotes a new water-
ways world that remains to be discovered.
The idea of developing nautical tourism in the
The Danube Propeller stand in January 2019 is a unique hydro-engineering system for flood
control and water management, land improve-
ment and agriculture, forestry, water supply,
Danube region was born in 1990 under the name
waste water disposal, navigation, tourism,
Danube Propeller. The project was promoted
fishing and hunting. In central Serbia, there
initially through the scientific conference
are an additional 650 km of rivers suitable for
Danube River of Cooperation, while lobbying
nautical tourism (classes RA and RB). The
and international support brought the World
total length available for recreational boats
Canals Conference to Novi Sad in 2009. The
or nautical tourism throughout Serbia is esti-
association was formally established in 2007.
mated at more than 3000 km.
Danube Propeller’s mission is to establish and
Serbia has 76 rivers longer than 50 km, 50
reinforce citizens’ common interest in develop-
smaller rivers and nearly 100 isolated water
ment, maintenance and use of the waterways
bodies (lakes, oxbows, former gravel or sand
in Serbia and the Middle Danube region. Its
pits) that can serve for nautical tourism. There
main aim is to create, coordinate and maintain
are 14 operating locks : 12 in Vojvodina and 2
a sustainable future for the Serbian nautical
on the Danube Iron Gate. In 2021 the entrance
industry on rivers, canals, lakes and oxbows,
lock to the DTD Canal at Bezdan is expected to
former gravel or sand pits, where nautical
be reopened to navigation, as well as the Bega
tourism is underdeveloped.
According to UN Resolution 52, there are waterway to Timișoara in Romania.
Serbia has a remarkable network of inland
The Danube has one of the most beautiful gorges
14 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020EXHIBITORS’ DIRECTORY
in the world, the Iron Gate, flowing through tial as a working waterway. The canal, which the second international Boat Show to be
Serbia and Romania over a length of 131km. was bypassed by the Oder-Havel Canal in the held in the Arsenale docks and the nearby
Danube Propeller is grateful to a number of modern canal-building era of the early 20th lagoon, to raise awareness of the importance
Serbian public and private agencies that have century, has 12 hand-operated historic locks, of improving the quality of air in the lagoon.
supported this stand, particularly the National from Ruhlsdorf down to Liepe, the location of The association’s presence at this year’s Inland
Tourist Organisation of Serbia, the Serbian the 80-year old historic Niederfinow ship lift, Waterways Pavilion is aimed at attracting
Ports Agency and the Belgrade Fair Boat Show where a new, bigger lift is nearing comple- additional participants in the e-Regata, who
(April 2-6, 2020). [Stand 10] tion. The locks represent the technology of the will show their boats’ performance under
/inlandwaterwaysinternational.org/ 1870s, and their maintenance requires expendi- different headings through four trials. All
corporate-members/danube-propeller/ ture that has been supported until now by every electric and hybrid boats will also be able to
German government. The current govern- take part in a parade on June 3 starting in the
ment has long considered that money spent Arsenale and proceeding past San Marco and
on waterways that are ‘only for tourism’ was through the Grand Canal to head through
not justified. Unser Finowkanal feels that the Cannaregio to return along the Fondamenta
canal is technological and cultural heritage that Nove and back into the Arsenale. Sponsorship
is well worth preserving, so that future genera- is needed to fund the event.
T he Saale-Elster-Kanal Förderverein is
an association founded in 2007 after several
local inhabitants visited the Falkirk Wheel in
tions can continue to appreciate the accom-
plishments of their forefathers. The association
also aims to tell the story of the region and to
The e-Regata’s organising committee includes
Assonautica Venezia, representing the
boatowners, the Associazione Motonautica
Scotland. This unique structure struck them as bring new life to the canal. Veneziana and the cultural association
being an excellent example of what was needed Venti di Cultura, while communication and
to complete the Saale-Elster canal, unfinished management of sponsorship will be handled
since 1943. The activity is essentially public by Triumph Group International. The event
relations and lobbying, to raise awareness of is fully supported by Vela SA, organiser of the
the value of the project for tourism develop- Salone Nautico on behalf of the city of Venice.
ment in central Germany, including Saxony and IWI’s Alternative Fuels Committee has also
Saxony-Anhalt, and among local and regional contributed to setting up the project and will
politicians. Substantial progress has been made run one of the round tables on June 6.
in recent years. Significant progress was made in 2019, when SS
ONAUTIC
A
A
The association is also interested in the the local authorities finally agreed to share with VE
Inland Waterways International
NEZIA
conservation of historic structures and build- the Federal Government the cost of restoring
ings along the canal. A breakthrough in recog- 10 of the 12 locks on the canal, forming a joint Take part in the biggest
nition of the project took place in April 2011, body (Zweckverband) for this purpose. This ever e-Regata at the
when the Saale-Elster canal hosted for the first organisation will be responsible for operateing 2nd Salone Nautico in
time an international event, a joint initiative
with IWI. The symposium in Merseburg on the
the locks after their restoration. (The other
two locks, at Schöpfurth and Eberswalde,
Venice, 3-6 June 2020
Saale gave attendees reliable information on had already been restored.) All locks will be ¢ a world first event on this scale
the multiple benefits of completing the canal equipped for automatic operation, a decision ¢ for zero-emission-powered boats
from the Saale through to Leipzig’s inland regretted by the association’s members. This ¢ join participants from 12 countries during a unique
event in the Arsenale docks and in the nearby lagoon
port, the Lindenau-Hafen, and on into the successful outcome of lengthy negotiations will
¢ historic flotilla parade on June 3rd
rivers and lakes of Leipzig. The conference was be celebrated during the year’s events marking (open to hybrid boats)
part of the IWI study tour of the waterways of the 400th anniversary of construction of the ¢ four trials over two days on June
4th and 5th; prize-giving on 6th
Czechia (Bohemia) and the Leipzig region. The first Finow Canal.
Event supported by the City of Venice, to contribute
association and its members will be assisting [‘Day of the Canals’ sponsor] to energy transition for the quality of life of Venetians
and visitors alike.
the hosts of the World Canals Conference in unser-finowkanal.eu e-regata-venezia@inlandwaterwaysinternational.org
Deadline for pre-registration: 15/02/20
Leipzig in September 2020. [Sponsor]
www. saaleelsterkanal.de The parade or corteo will pass through Cannaregio
1
2
3
LEGEND
1 Punta San Giuliano
2 Moorings in the Canal delle Galeazze
3 Trials in the Arsenale main dock
V
Parade on 3 June
enice agenda 2028 is an NGO working Autonomy trial : giro del Fasiol
with Venetians to ensure that by the year
2028, all motor boats including water-buses,
U nser Finowanal e.V. is an association
founded in 2013 to promote and work on
keeping the 400-year-old Finow Canal open for
taxis, work and private boats are zero-emis-
sion, low-wash electric boats. An interna-
tional list of 40 suppliers, many in Europe,
recreational navigation. Since then, the asso- are ready to meet the power and autonomy
ciation has been engaging intensely with the requirements of every type of boat in the
regional and local authorities, to encourage Italian lagoon city.
www.salonenautico.venezia.it
them to take on responsibility for operating The association is heading a unique event,
the canal, in recognition of its economic poten- an e-Regata, on June 3-6, 2020, as part of
World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 15You can also read
