The introductory part of this thesis focuses on the detailed characteristics of the Danube region, on the Danube itself as well as on the ongoing international cooperation of involved Danubian countries. Next section contains a comprehensive analysis of the cargo inland waterway transport on the Danube in Austria with respect to historical development, present state of commodity transportation as well as with respect to facilities and performance of Austrian ports and accessibility of the Danube for cargo river ships during the year. The final part of this thesis deals with current problems of cargo river carriers on the Austrian part of the Danube and there are possible solutions to these problems as well. Attention is also paid to the importance of cargo inland waterway transport for the whole country.

When transporting dangerous goods, there are many direct and subsidiary risks associated with transportation of such goods for people, property, animals, infrastructure and even so environment. This diploma thesis deals with way of such transport by using inland waterways. It's targeted at anybody who wants to be informed of international legislation, possibilities, risks and other issues associated with inland waterway transport process.

The thesis attends to cargo inland waterway transport on the river Elbe in the Czech republic. The target is to analyse its progress, function and place in national and international transport. The thesis shows actual problems that occur in inland waterway transport. The main problem is the bottleneck at the Czech - German border which should be solved by building-up of the weir in Děčín. But this is not acceptable for environmentalists. The target as well is to quote reasons why to built-up the weir which is important for the development of inland waterway transport.

This dissertation develops mathematical models to efficiently manage the inland waterway port operations while minimizing the overall supply chain cost. In the first part, a capacitated, multi-commodity, multi-period mixed-integer linear programming model is proposed capturing diversified inland waterway transportation network related properties. We developed an accelerated Benders decomposition algorithm to solve this challenging NP-hard problem. The next study develops a two-stage stochastic mixed-integer nonlinear programming model to manage congestion in an inland waterway transportation network under stochastic commodity supply and water-level fluctuation scenarios. The model also jointly optimizes trip-wise towboat and barge assignment decisions and different supply chain decisions (e.g., inventory management, transportation decisions) in such a way that the overall system cost can be minimized. We develop a parallelized hybrid decomposition algorithm, combining Constraint Generation algorithm, Sample Average Approximation (SAA), and an enhanced variant of the L-shaped algorithm, to effectively solve our proposed optimization model in a timely fashion. While the first two parts develop models from the supply chain network design viewpoint, the next two parts propose mathematical models to emphasize the port and waterway transportation related operations. Two two-stage, stochastic, mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) models are proposed under stochastic commodity supply and water level fluctuations scenarios. The last one puts the specific focus in modeling perishable inventories. To solve the third model we propose to develop a highly customized parallelized hybrid decomposition algorithm that combines SAA with an enhanced Progressive Hedging and Nested Decomposition algorithm. Similarly, to solve the last mathematical model we propose a hybrid decomposition algorithm combining the enhanced Benders decomposition algorithm and SAA to solve the large size of test instances of this complex, NP-hard problem. Both proposed approaches are highly efficient in solving the real-life test instances of the model to desired quality within a reasonable time frame. All the four developed models are validated a real-life case study focusing on the inland waterway transportation network along the Mississippi River. A number of managerial insights are drawn for different key input parameters that impact port operations. These insights will essentially help decisions makers to effectively and efficiently manage an inland waterway-based transportation network.

O objetivo principal deste trabalho é propor diretrizes pró-ativas para o planejamento e gestão ambiental das hidrovias brasileiras, no que tange ao transporte comercial de cargas. O trabalho começa com uma abordagem panorâmica sobre o transporte hidroviário no Brasil, as vantagens deste modal, os dados sobre extensões hidroviárias, os entraves ao desenvolvimento do sistema hidroviário e o problema a ser resolvido. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória buscando informações técnicas e ambientais, além de se embasar no arcabouço jurídico dos órgãos intervenientes na gestão ambiental do transporte hidroviário. O trabalho foi dividido em elementos, fases, etapas e níveis hierárquicos de gerenciamento para um sistema hidroviário. Os elementos analisados foram vias, veículos, terminais, cargas e controles. O projeto hidroviário foi dividido em etapas de planejamento, implantação, operação, manutenção e desativação/descarte. A partir destes elementos foram identificados ações, atividades, os aspectos ambientais, os impactos ambientais associados a estes, e foram propostas medidas mitigadoras para minimizar tais impactos ambientais. O trabalho, ainda, teve outras divisões, bem como aquela que o divide em fases de Planejamento e de Gestão Ambiental. E com relação à hierarquia de gerenciamento, o trabalho foi dividido em estratégico, tático e operacional. Na fase específica de gestão ambiental são propostas duas alternativas de implantação de Sistema de Gestão Ambiental, uma que propõe a aplicação de planos e programas ambientais para assuntos e quesitos ambientais de maior relevância, sem se preocupar em certificações ambientais, e outra, que é a aplicação da Norma ISO 14001 para os sistemas hidroviários. Com isso, como contribuição, este trabalho preocupou-se em propor planos, programas e diretrizes para o planejamento e gestão ambiental de elementos que compõem a infra-estrutura do transporte hidroviário interior no Brasil, porém termina fazendo proposições de políticas públicas, baseadas nas reais necessidades do setor. / The main objective of this work is to propose proactive directives for the environmental planning and management of Brazilian inland waterways, as for as the commercial transport of cargo is concerned. The work starts with a panoramic approach to the inland waterway transport in Brazil, the advantages of this modal, the data about inland waterway extensions, the restraints to the development of the inland waterway system and the problem to be solved. With this objective, we made an exploratory investigation searching for technical and environmental information, besides finding support in the juridical framework of the organs related to the environmental management of inland waterway transport. The work was divided into elements, phases, stages and hierarchical levels of management for a waterway system. The elements analyzed were rivers, vehicles, terminals, cargoes and control. The waterway project was divided into planning stages, implementation, operation, maintenance and deactivation/discard. From these elements, we identified actions, activities, environmental aspects and environmental impacts associated to them, proposing mitigating measures to minimize such environmental impacts. The work also had other divisions, such as the one that divides it into the Environmental Planning and Environmental Management phases. In relation to management hierarchy, the work was divided into strategic, tactic and operational. In the specific environmental management phase, we propose two alternatives for the Environmental Management System implementation, one suggesting the application of environmental plans and programs for environmental issues and queries of greater relevance, without concerns about environmental certifications, and another one, which is the application of the ISO 14001 Standard on waterway systems. Therefore, as a contribution, this work is concerned with proposing plans, programs and directives for the environmental planning and management of elements which constitute the facilities of the inland waterway transport in Brazil, but it also makes propositions of public policy, based on the real necessities of the sector.

É elaborada uma proposta de procedimentos de projetos de comboios fluviais adaptados às condições existentes das vias navegáveis, a partir de uma visão ampliada da necessidade de obtenção de menores custos de transporte, com níveis adequados de segurança e de respeito ao meio ambiente. Uma análise das inter-relações técnicas entre hidrovias e embarcações, assim como dos condicionantes e implicações do conceito de embarcações adaptadas às vias navegáveis, orientou a elaboração do modelo. Este foi estruturado em módulos, com o objetivo de reproduzir, um a um, os fatores mais importantes que influenciam a eficiência, a segurança e o nível de interferência ambiental do transporte de cargas por comboios. Um programa computacional foi desenvolvido como instrumento de aplicação do modelo, consolidando os procedimentos propostos para a escolha das melhores alternativas de projeto e de operação de comboios. Resultados experimentais com comboios em escala real e com modelos em tanques de provas, foram utilizados para validação dos procedimentos adotados. Dados de acidentes com comboios em várias hidrovias do mundo foram utilizados como bases para avaliações de risco. O modelo foi aplicado aos casos de transportes de soja pela hidrovia Tietê-Paraná e pelo rio Araguaia, exemplificando as formas de análise e de escolha das alternativas de soluções de projeto. Ao final, os resultados obtidos comprovaram a utilidade da adoção de um enfoque mais abrangente do processo de projeto de comboios fluviais. / It is proposed a procedure model for design of barges push-tow adapted to waterway actual conditions, with the purpose of minimize transportation costs but always making verifications of navigation safety and ambient interferences levels. An analysis of inter-relations on inland waterways and cargo ships and, also, detailed conditionings and implications of waterway adapted ships concept, was used for model elaboration. It was structured in blocks to reproduce, one to one, the most important factors that modify efficiency, safety and environmental interference levels of barges push-tow cargo transportation. A computational program was developed to consolidate the proposed model and to apply procedures to choose best design and operational alternatives. Results of full scale and towing tank tests with push-tows were used to verify the mathematical and semi-empirical models. Barges push-tows accidents data from waterways of the world was used as risk model basis. To evaluate its effectiveness, the model was applied to bulk grain transportation cases by Tietê-Paraná waterway and by Araguaia river. The results shows that the special emphasis on three factors (efficiency, safety and ambient) improves the quality of barges push-tow design process.

The main aim of this thesis was to analyze evaluate the possibility of using regional inland waterway transport for tourism. The thesis dealt with the newly navigable Vltava in South Bohemia, which was part of the state project "Completion of Vltava waterway in the section Ceske Budejovice - Tyn nad Vltavou". It was elaborate the situation analysis and realization of own exploration by means of structured interviews and survey. Based on the obtained data were created proposals to improve current situation. The main contribution of this thesis is the efficient interconnection of these suggestions would significantly increase the attractiveness of the whole idea navigable Vltava river for tourism. The most important output of the thesis is the elaboration of the project "Modernization of steamers on the Vltava river in South Bohemia".

O objetivo principal deste trabalho é propor diretrizes pró-ativas para o planejamento e gestão ambiental das hidrovias brasileiras, no que tange ao transporte comercial de cargas. O trabalho começa com uma abordagem panorâmica sobre o transporte hidroviário no Brasil, as vantagens deste modal, os dados sobre extensões hidroviárias, os entraves ao desenvolvimento do sistema hidroviário e o problema a ser resolvido. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória buscando informações técnicas e ambientais, além de se embasar no arcabouço jurídico dos órgãos intervenientes na gestão ambiental do transporte hidroviário. O trabalho foi dividido em elementos, fases, etapas e níveis hierárquicos de gerenciamento para um sistema hidroviário. Os elementos analisados foram vias, veículos, terminais, cargas e controles. O projeto hidroviário foi dividido em etapas de planejamento, implantação, operação, manutenção e desativação/descarte. A partir destes elementos foram identificados ações, atividades, os aspectos ambientais, os impactos ambientais associados a estes, e foram propostas medidas mitigadoras para minimizar tais impactos ambientais. O trabalho, ainda, teve outras divisões, bem como aquela que o divide em fases de Planejamento e de Gestão Ambiental. E com relação à hierarquia de gerenciamento, o trabalho foi dividido em estratégico, tático e operacional. Na fase específica de gestão ambiental são propostas duas alternativas de implantação de Sistema de Gestão Ambiental, uma que propõe a aplicação de planos e programas ambientais para assuntos e quesitos ambientais de maior relevância, sem se preocupar em certificações ambientais, e outra, que é a aplicação da Norma ISO 14001 para os sistemas hidroviários. Com isso, como contribuição, este trabalho preocupou-se em propor planos, programas e diretrizes para o planejamento e gestão ambiental de elementos que compõem a infra-estrutura do transporte hidroviário interior no Brasil, porém termina fazendo proposições de políticas públicas, baseadas nas reais necessidades do setor. / The main objective of this work is to propose proactive directives for the environmental planning and management of Brazilian inland waterways, as for as the commercial transport of cargo is concerned. The work starts with a panoramic approach to the inland waterway transport in Brazil, the advantages of this modal, the data about inland waterway extensions, the restraints to the development of the inland waterway system and the problem to be solved. With this objective, we made an exploratory investigation searching for technical and environmental information, besides finding support in the juridical framework of the organs related to the environmental management of inland waterway transport. The work was divided into elements, phases, stages and hierarchical levels of management for a waterway system. The elements analyzed were rivers, vehicles, terminals, cargoes and control. The waterway project was divided into planning stages, implementation, operation, maintenance and deactivation/discard. From these elements, we identified actions, activities, environmental aspects and environmental impacts associated to them, proposing mitigating measures to minimize such environmental impacts. The work also had other divisions, such as the one that divides it into the Environmental Planning and Environmental Management phases. In relation to management hierarchy, the work was divided into strategic, tactic and operational. In the specific environmental management phase, we propose two alternatives for the Environmental Management System implementation, one suggesting the application of environmental plans and programs for environmental issues and queries of greater relevance, without concerns about environmental certifications, and another one, which is the application of the ISO 14001 Standard on waterway systems. Therefore, as a contribution, this work is concerned with proposing plans, programs and directives for the environmental planning and management of elements which constitute the facilities of the inland waterway transport in Brazil, but it also makes propositions of public policy, based on the real necessities of the sector.

É elaborada uma proposta de procedimentos de projetos de comboios fluviais adaptados às condições existentes das vias navegáveis, a partir de uma visão ampliada da necessidade de obtenção de menores custos de transporte, com níveis adequados de segurança e de respeito ao meio ambiente. Uma análise das inter-relações técnicas entre hidrovias e embarcações, assim como dos condicionantes e implicações do conceito de embarcações adaptadas às vias navegáveis, orientou a elaboração do modelo. Este foi estruturado em módulos, com o objetivo de reproduzir, um a um, os fatores mais importantes que influenciam a eficiência, a segurança e o nível de interferência ambiental do transporte de cargas por comboios. Um programa computacional foi desenvolvido como instrumento de aplicação do modelo, consolidando os procedimentos propostos para a escolha das melhores alternativas de projeto e de operação de comboios. Resultados experimentais com comboios em escala real e com modelos em tanques de provas, foram utilizados para validação dos procedimentos adotados. Dados de acidentes com comboios em várias hidrovias do mundo foram utilizados como bases para avaliações de risco. O modelo foi aplicado aos casos de transportes de soja pela hidrovia Tietê-Paraná e pelo rio Araguaia, exemplificando as formas de análise e de escolha das alternativas de soluções de projeto. Ao final, os resultados obtidos comprovaram a utilidade da adoção de um enfoque mais abrangente do processo de projeto de comboios fluviais. / It is proposed a procedure model for design of barges push-tow adapted to waterway actual conditions, with the purpose of minimize transportation costs but always making verifications of navigation safety and ambient interferences levels. An analysis of inter-relations on inland waterways and cargo ships and, also, detailed conditionings and implications of waterway adapted ships concept, was used for model elaboration. It was structured in blocks to reproduce, one to one, the most important factors that modify efficiency, safety and environmental interference levels of barges push-tow cargo transportation. A computational program was developed to consolidate the proposed model and to apply procedures to choose best design and operational alternatives. Results of full scale and towing tank tests with push-tows were used to verify the mathematical and semi-empirical models. Barges push-tows accidents data from waterways of the world was used as risk model basis. To evaluate its effectiveness, the model was applied to bulk grain transportation cases by Tietê-Paraná waterway and by Araguaia river. The results shows that the special emphasis on three factors (efficiency, safety and ambient) improves the quality of barges push-tow design process.

With increasing interest in utilizing the inland waterways (IWW) in European countries, the design of IWW vessels gains attention both from a transport efficiency and an emission control point of view. However, unlike in western and central European countries, in Nordic countries, e.g. Sweden, IWW ships must deal with ice on the fairway during every winter. Usually, IWW ships are designed without ice concerns and are structurally weaker compared to ships designed according to ice class notification from the classification societies. Developing such ships requires particular concerns since there is no strict requirements regarding ice class notifications for IWW ships. A primary challenge is to estimate both the global and local ice loads acting on the ship hull structure. To consolidate the design problems for IWW ice-going ships, Lake Mälaren is selected. Ice conditions, i.e. ice type and concentration, and ice data, e.g. ice thickness and ice flexural strength, are extracted and analysed for the ice load estimation. The ice mechanical properties have great influence on the ice load. Ice characteristics are studied based on empirical formulae and properties are calibrated by reference data. The deterministic approach is widely used to predict the ice loads. It is suitable when all variables, i.e. ship geometry and ice properties, are known and refers to rule-based design hereby. For first year light ice conditions in Lake Mälaren, the Finnish Swedish Ice Class Rule (FSICR) is widely used. The thesis uses guidelines from the Finnish Swedish Ice Class Rules as a reference and compare the results with other methods. The probabilistic approach, on contrary, is useful when certain variables are unknow, which are interpreted as random variables, for instance ice breaking pattern. Here the probabilistic method and ice-hull interaction mechanism are studied. The probabilistic method simplifies the ice pressure in relation to the contact area between the ice and the ship hull. It predicts maximum ice pressure acting on the ship hull based on field ice test data and ice exposure conditions. Such semi-empirical method can be used regardless of ship type and size. For this, a numerical model is introduced based on ice-hull collision mechanisms and the essential ice breaking characteristics. The physical mechanism is studied for idealizing ship-ice impact model. The idealization model includes the ice failure process, ice conditions and ship geometry. The ice failure is assumed to be initiated by crushing ice and followed by breaking due to bending failure. Ice properties are set as constant values without any variations. The stochasticity in interact process is represented by randomness in collision location and number of pieces of ice floe formed after breaking. An energy method is used to calculate the ice crushing force, indentation displacement and contact area. The ice bending scenario is simplified as an infinite plate resting on an elastic foundation under a concentrated load. Ice impact load and critical load can be obtained for global and local structural assessment respectively. The structural responses and structural strength of a representative panel at linear and nonlinear contexts are investigated as well. Ship structure is commonly designed with material yield strength as limit. However, the study shows a lighter structure can be achieved if plastic deformation is allowed without causing failure. Therefore, the design can be optimized with regards to ice loading capacity and weight control.