Since antiquity, waterways have constituted a fundamental pillar of global trade, enabling connectivity between markets and supporting economic growth through the carriage of goods. Oceans, seas, and rivers remain indispensable components of the global supply chain, facilitating large-scale logistics operations. Despite the historical role of inland waterways in serving industries and commerce, their full potential as a sustainable mode of transport has not yet been fully realized. Against the backdrop of increasing environmental pressures and the transition towards green logistics, inland waterways offer significant potential to integrate renewable energy and eco-friendly alternatives into transport infrastructure.

The Ruhr area in Germany is characterized by an extensive canal network that historically supported heavy industries such as steel and coal, traditionally reliant on fossil fuels. While these industries contributed substantially to economic development, they also generated high levels of carbon emissions and environmental pollution. Concurrently, the region around Wesel demonstrates strong agricultural activity, with numerous small-scale enterprises requiring efficient logistics solutions to transport fresh produce to end consumers. Although waterways exist, these enterprises predominantly rely on conventional road transport, which remains cost-intensive and environmentally unsustainable. The challenge therefore lies in repurposing the existing canal infrastructure into a sustainable transport system that aligns industrial requirements with ecological considerations.

Within this context, the WISTAR project aims to design, simulate, and optimize inland waterway logistics specifically for small-scale enterprises in the Ruhr area. A comprehensive simulation model will be developed, incorporating transshipment points, transportation networks, Vessel scheduling, and material flow. The integration of renewable energy technologies will be investigated, with a particular focus on shallow water transit, scalability, and operational efficiency. The feasibility of employing renewable-powered vessels and energy-efficient transshipment terminals will be evaluated to establish a framework for a green supply chain.

The outcomes of the WISTAR project are expected to deliver structured insights into the operational performance of inland waterway logistics, including efficiency measures, bottlenecks, and system optimization potential. By reducing dependency on petroleum-based transport and strengthening direct farm-to-consumer supply chains, the proposed approach aims to promote sustainability within regional logistics. Ultimately, the project aspires to support small-scale enterprises in adopting environmentally responsible practices while enhancing the overall resilience of the Ruhr region’s transport infrastructure.