1.Inland waterways infrastructure shall comprise, in particular:
(a)rivers;
(b)canals;
(c)lakes;
(d)related infrastructure such as locks, elevators, bridges, reservoirs and associated flood-prevention measures which may bring positive effects to inland waterway navigation;
(e)inland ports, including the infrastructure necessary for transport operations within the port area;
(f)associated equipment;
(g)telematic applications, including RIS;
(h)the connections of the inland ports to the other modes in the trans-European transport network.
2.To be part of the comprehensive network, inland ports shall have an annual freight transhipment volume exceeding 500 000 tonnes. The total annual freight transhipment volume shall be based on the latest available three-year average, as published by Eurostat.
3.Equipment associated with inland waterways may include equipment for the loading and unloading of cargos in inland ports. Associated equipment may include, in particular, propulsion and operating systems which reduce pollution, such as water and air pollution, energy consumption and carbon intensity. It may also include waste reception facilities, shore-side electricity facilities, and used oil collection facilities, as well as equipment for ice-breaking, hydrological services and dredging of the port and port approaches to ensure year-round navigability.
1.Member States shall ensure that inland ports are connected with the road or rail infrastructure.
2.Inland ports shall offer at least one freight terminal open to all operators in a non-discriminatory way and shall apply transparent charges.
3.Member States shall ensure that:
(a)rivers, canals and lakes comply with the minimum requirements for class IV waterways as laid down in the new classification of inland waterways established by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) and that there is continuous bridge clearance, without prejudice to Articles 35 and 36 of this Regulation.
At the request of a Member State, in duly justified cases, exemptions shall be granted by the Commission from the minimum requirements on draught (less than 2,50 m) and on minimum height under bridges (less than 5,25 m);
(b)rivers, canals and lakes are maintained so as to preserve good navigation status, while respecting the applicable environmental law;
(c)rivers, canals and lakes are equipped with RIS.
In the promotion of projects of common interest related to inland waterway infrastructures, and in addition to the general priorities set out in Article 10, priority shall be given to the following:
for existing inland waterways: implementing measures necessary to reach the standards of the inland waterways class IV;
where appropriate, achieving higher standards for modernising existing waterways and for creating new waterways in accordance with the technical aspects of infrastructure of the ECMT, in order to meet market demands;
implementing telematic applications, including RIS;
connecting inland port infrastructure to rail freight and road transport infrastructure;
paying particular attention to free-flowing rivers which are close to their natural state and which can therefore be the subject of specific measures;
the promotion of sustainable inland waterway transport;
modernisation and expansion of the capacity of the infrastructure necessary for transport operations within the port area.