TEN-T network requirements for inland waterways and their fulfillment
This situational picture provides an analysis of the fulfilment of TEN-T network criteria for inland waterways in Finland. The fulfilment of TEN-T network criteria is primarily assessed twice a year. The information is produced by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. The information is part of the strategic situational picture of the Finnish transport network.
Key criteria for inland waterways in the TEN-T guideline regulation 2013
Regulation (EU) N:o 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council specifies the inland waterways included in the TEN-T transport network and the related criteria. In Finland, the TEN-T core network includes the deep water waterways of Saimaa and the section of the Saimaa Canal on the Finnish side. There are no comprehensive network inland waterways in Finland. Neither does the TEN-T network include inland ports in Finland. The inland waterway criteria are as follows:
- Member States shall ensure that rivers, canals and lakes are equipped with RIS (river information system).
- Rivers, canals and lakes comply with the minimum requirements for class IV waterways as laid down in the new classification of inland waterways: draught (2.50 m) and minimum bridge clearance (5.25 m).
- Alternative clean fuels must be available to the core network.
Meeting criteria in inland waterways
Finnish inland waterways in the TEN-T network meet the criteria as follows:
- RIS is not employed in inland waterways, because seagoing ships complying with sea transport regulations sail on Saimaa. In addition, inland waterways and their traffic do not have direct contact with another Member State. The criterion is not deemed applicable to the Saimaa area based on these grounds.
- The draught and clearance criteria are met.
- The requirement on the availability of alternative clean fuel is deemed met because all Finnish ports can be supplied with LNG by truck or barge.
- There is no comprehensive network of inland waterways in Finland. Ports are also not included in the TEN-T network, which is why no requirements apply to them.
The EU Commission is currently working on renewing the TEN-T guideline regulation. The reform aims at e.g. improved connections to the European Green Deal. The proposal for the new TEN-T regulation was published in December 2021. The final regulation will probably enter into force in 2023.
