Inland navigation is the most common mode of container transport at the port of Antwerp-Bruges, accounting for 34% of it, or as much as 42% if you include all goods flows in the port. In order to increase growth further, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is constantly working on new, innovative projects for the inland navigation sector.

Autonomous shipping is deemed the future of this sector. This view is shared by Svetlana Samsonova, liaison officer between the University of Antwerp-Bruges and Port of Antwerp-Bruges. "Attracting young talent is not easy. That's why we focus so heavily on innovation. Technology needs to boost the competitiveness of the inland navigation sector."