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Inland Waterways International WORLD WIDE WATERWAYS No. 33 - January 2020

Journal of Inland Waterways International Published by IWI, Ingles Manor, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2RD, United Kingdom

01 INLAND WATERWAYS INTERNATIONAL

WE WISH ALL OUR MEMBERS A that the AGM was not held at the WCC venue. It World Wide Waterways – No. 33 VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR! was an opportunity to get together and spend January 2020 On this occasion, a reminder : membership more time than in the maëlstrom of a World Canals CONTENTS subscriptions are due in January each year. Conference. The president’s report underlined the We are grateful to all members who have intense activity over the year 2018, updated for the IWI activities – WCC – AGM in London . . . 2 already paid by standing order or through current year, covering BOOT Düsseldorf in January, President’s Notes ...... 3 our online shop. The payment gateway PIANC’s Navigating a Changing Climate coalition, Yangzhou celebrates the Grand Canal . . . 4 was changed in late 2019 so that the credit preparations for the World Canals Conference, Inland Waterways Pavilion at boot 2020 card solution is now provided through the work of our committee on Alternative Fuels Exhibitors’ directory ...... 7 Stripe instead of WorldPay. You may still in Inland Navigation, the Green WIN project led World Waterways News ...... 20 use PayPal if you prefer, but the charges by the Canal and River Trust, publications, tours IWAI celebrates Ireland’s canals to us are higher with PayPal. Thank you in and the regular business of publications and ...... 22 Erie Canal re-imagined advance for your continued support, and a membership. The Alternative Fuels Committee ...... 23 warm welcome to the new members listed has engaged with Venice partners in setting up an Grand Canal panorama ...... 24 below, from 8 different countries ! e-regatta in June 2020 (see p.15) to assist in accel- erating energy transition for boats in the Venice World Wide Waterways is published for lagoon. The project is coordinated by IWI corporate members of Inland Waterways International WCC in Yangzhou members VeniceAgenda 2028 and Venti di Cultura. Editors: Di Harris, Bob Naylor ur last issue (www32) was printed in IWI acts as a patron for the event, supporting its News editor: Tomáš Kolařík Nanjing and delivered to the WCCO in objectives and chairing a round table on energy Email: [email protected] O Yangzhou in time for distribution at the transition. Comments and opinions expressed in IWI’s publications World Canals Conference starting on September Norman Smith’s financial report recorded a deficit are those of the authors, named or otherwise, and do not 27. Janet Gascoigne reports on the spectacular in 2018 for the third year running, related to the necessarily reflect the position of the Association as a whole. event, its presentations and site visits on pages heavy investment made in Boot in particular, but 4-5. Collaboration with the World Canal Cities pointed to a significant surplus about to be shown ment. We are grateful to CRT for kindly giving us Organisation continues, and we look forward to in the accounts for 2019. The turn-round was their time, and for the hospitality in the Three Mills meeting a strong delegation from Yangzhou and achieved thanks to the Inland Waterways Pavilion Lock control building.  other Grand Canal cities in Leipzig at this year’s in Düsseldorf, which has made this event a source WCC. Highlights during the event were the launch of profit for the association after being a ‘loss- of the Gazetteer of the Canals of China, and the leader’ in the first three years. premiere of the People’s Canal Carnival in the park Rudy Van der Ween was elected second Vice- Welcome to new members close to Slender West Lake. Valuable new contacts President. Corporate were made, Yangzhou’s new 200-seater waterbus Before the regular business of the AGM the Bergmann USA was tested, and a visit was made to the Gaozhou delegates from Bydgoszcz gave a presentation of Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina UK Ancient Ferry Terminal park with its interpretation the city as the venue for the WCC in 2022. Under Cruising Association UK centre and new landscaping. Any Other Business, Catriona Hilliard presented an Navicula Assn. of Elblag Canal Admirers Poland original copy of the decree signed exactly 60 years Navisaimaa Finland AGM in London ago, putting an end to commercial carrying on Schleusenverein Switzerland Our AGM in London on November 25 was attended Ireland’s Grand Canal (see p. 22). Wijma Kampen Netherlands by 25 members. This was the first time for 20 years Individual CRT offers guided tour Thaddaeus Babb, Oklahoma City, OK USA The next day, Canal and River Trust staff members Eric Fisher, Midlothian VA USA Dean Bennet and Rob White met the IWI party Liz Frazer, Braunston UK at the Cruising Association HQ and escorted a Catriona Hilliard, Tullamore Ireland walking tour along the Limehouse Cut over to Bow Martin Ludgate, London UK locks and on to the fascinating Three Mills site. Jeff Scott Pereira, London UK Dicks and other operating staff welcomed us here Jürgen Rohweder, Stein Germany and showed the Three Mills Lock and its equip-

Roger Squires (left) prepares to lead AGM attendees on a walking tour of East London’s canal ring : Jane O’Dea, Sandra Purves, Norman Smith, David Edwards-May, Locaboat’s Evolution hireboat at Weesp Colin Becker, Charlie Helliwell, on the river Vecht in front of the ‘Molen Geoff and Audrey Harman, De Vriendschap’ windmill. This model, David Wadham (hidden), with its diesel-electric drive, is on show on Leszek Woźniak, Sharon our Inland Waterways Pavilion at BOOT Leighton, Roger O’Dea, Daria Düsseldorf from January 18-26. Kieraszewicz and Catriona Locaboat Holidays Hilliard. © Duncan Hay

2 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 President’s notes

he last few months have whizzed by, enjoyed the visits and two separate cruises in and here we are in January 2020, the Hangzhou, imagined by member Christian T month where we beat our drum on the Fardel, and the guided tour to the mind- world’s nautical stage at BOOT Düsseldorf. boggling Huai’an aqueduct/siphon structure Our statements about the value of inland and waterway cross-roads, China’s answer to waterways as living heritage are more impor- Minden on the Mittelland Kanal in Germany. tant than ever ! We are taking the opportunity to print a magazine that we hope our PIANC’s Smart Rivers Just days after Erie Canal under threat? We report (p.23) members will enjoy, bringing together our returning from Yangzhou, it was time to pack on the exciting plans announced on January regular content and the Inland Waterways my bags again, for the much shorter journey 6 to revitalise the Erie Canal as a magnet for Pavilion exhibitor’s directory (pp 7-18), listing to Lyon. The Smart Rivers conference was tourism and business throughout upstate New more than 100 current corporate members. another memorable event, with about 120 York. Governor Andrew Cuomo presented a That is in itself a statement, and a tribute to presentations in up to five separate strands. $300 million investment plan, which promised the vision of past president Dave Ballinger It is easy to become dizzy even thinking concrete results for many people and virtu- who 10 years ago saw the need for IWI to about where to go ! And when the dust ally all user interests. An inkling of what was expand in continental Europe, at a time settles after the event, it’s the people you’ve being prepared had come to my attention in when the membership was overwhelm- met that have left a more indelible impres- December, when I read Mike Riley’s piece in ingly from the English-speaking world. Now sion than the science you have learned. I the American Canal Society’s Fall Newsletter. nearly two thirds of our corporate members was impressed by the work presented by the Writing about the competition to reimagine are from continental Europe. This owes a lot Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, who how the canals could be used (launched at to the efforts of our European projects officer will host the next Smart Rivers conference in the WCC in Syracuse in 2017), he observed Peter Linssen and of course our presence October 2021. Their presentation of Nanjing ‘the winners were chosen and announced, and in Düsseldorf since 2016. I look forward and the Chinese Waterways Development someone was heard to say that if the State to meeting as many members as possible were to weld the lock-gates closed, the winners during the show on January 18-26, where the of the competition would not be affected. In inland waterways sector will be concentrated ‘Dancing with the barges’ other words, the winners had little to do with in one area of Hall 13, including no less than on China’s Grand Canal the canal as a canal. […] A series of events five hire boats. This should help to attract a were held to hear from the public on how to greater flow of motivated visitors. reimagine the canals, and with these came Strategy was fascinating, and we hope to be more rumours that the ultimate focus might WCC Yangzhou Looking back on the past able to summarise the content of their video be to close parts of [the system].’ With that year, China was the main focus in the lead up in a future issue. Most presentations were on background, the package of measures now to to the WCC in Yangzhou in September. The technical and engineering research, projects be funded by the New York Power Authority event was a great success and enjoyed by all and solutions, although tourism and recrea- leaves a number of questions unanswered. participants, as reported by Janet Gascoigne tional uses of the waterways were covered Has the risk of closing the canal as a through on pp 4-6. In retrospect, combining the event by some speakers. A session devoted to route been averted ? We hope so, but even with the Cultural Canal Carnival was benefi- African rivers gave a valuable insight into the the renderings of the future canal landscapes cial for outreach and media impact, although current state of navigability, for example on systematically avoid the canal’s initial function it forced several IWI delegates to change or the Niger, but the reality of climate change of carrying loads of up to 2700 tonnes.  cancel their planned tour. We are grateful is weighing down on these navigations, on David Edwards-May, January 2020 to our hosts, the WCCO, for their efforts to which so many communities depend, even compensate for the inconvenience caused by more heavily than on the rivers in Europe and A pedestrian walkway draped around one of the 19 the change of dates. In particular, they reim- the Americas. guard gates on the Erie Canal : one of the ideas presented bursed all the extra costs incurred. The launch by the consultants to make the Erie Canal more attrac- of the Gazetteer of the Canals of China was a tive for tourists. Reimagine the Canals Task Force spectacular affair, and we include some stills from the stunning video on the back page. My personal thanks also go to WCCO Secretary General Qing Deng and her assistant Vicky Li for all their help in making our pre-conference tour of Grand Canal sites so rewarding. Cruising down the Grand Canal’s Suzhou bypass in the canal authority’s inspection launch 苏航政002 Su Hang Zheng or ‘Jiangsu Navigation Authority’ was a truly unforgettable experience, like ‘dancing with the barges’. This was almost surreal, as was our arrival at the famous Baodai (Precious Belt) towpath bridge, a site visited by founder Ron Oakley’s tour in 1989. Our group of seven disembarked here onto a red carpet ! We also

World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 3 WCC 2019 YANGZHOU

WCC Yangzhou celebrates the Grand Canal

Yangzhou, designated cultural capital of Canal has undergone enlargements, widening, IV, carrying building materials and countless East Asia in 2019, was proud to host the straightening, closure and reopening . Its other products, including containers . World Canals Conference for the second original course followed a delta shape linking The subtitle of the conference was ‘The Role time on September 26-28. Janet Gascoigne Hangzhou on the Qiantang River northwest of Canals in City Betterment and Ecological reports on the event, which followed a towards Luoyang and then north-east to Restoration’, and many of the presentations six-day tour to sites along the Grand Canal Beijing, a total of over 2300 km . focused on using the heritage aspects of the from Hangzhou to Huai’an. built canal environment in regeneration of Hundreds of millions of tonnes cities and also in the preservation and devel- t 1863 km long and 2500 years old Currently the canal is not navigable north opment for tourism of the smaller networks the China Grand Canal breaks all canal of Jining due to siltation and problems with of canals to be founded in canal cities such as A records and puts European water- water supply, as well as the impossibility of Nanjing and Suzhou . ways in the shade . The 2019 World Canals crossing the temperamental Yellow River, but There is in several cities a physical segre- Conference (WCC) was held in Yangzhou in there are plans to try and reinstate navigation gation of these ‘heritage canals’ from the Jiangsu Province on the banks of the Grand at least some distance north from the Jining commercial waterway, on which pleasure Canal near its crossing of the Yangtze River . limit . Today the sections south of Jining are boats are not allowed . It was interesting to This is the oldest section of the canal, built busy with barge traffic of all shapes and sizes note that the Chinese for ‘canal’ is made up of in the 5th century BC . Since then the Grand up to vessels equivalent to European Class the characters for ‘transport’ and ‘river’ and BEIJING yet the transportation of freight was hardly Datong mentioned at the conference . It is as if the vital Simplified location work of the Grand Canal in carrying hundreds Tonghui Canal map of the Grand of millions of tonnes of freight that would Canal showing the otherwise be on the road is forgotten, unno- original route via s ticed, seen as workday and not something n i a the former capital t that would interest visitors . Currently there n u o Luoyang and the is no consideration of extending tourism and M g n Handan current route. a leisure use to the main working Grand Canal . l Shandong ih a a n Feeder Hills The entire length T a li C Nanwang ng north of the Yellow Yo Jining Gazetteer of the Canals of China low R Huitong el iv Canal Y er Weishan Lake River is no longer A highlight of the WCC was the launch Luoyang Kaifeng intact; only vestiges [ of the ‘Gazetteer of the Grand Canal’: a Xi’an Yangqu Ho ng To remain. Commercial Canal go ngj Xuzhou massive project comprising 9 volumes (11 u a i Can Huai’an nd B al ian C traffic stops at Jining, tomes) that compiles the results of more anal] East Hongze Lake China as the canal is heavily Gaoyou Lake than 10 years of research . 1 . Overview and Sea siilted north of there Hangou Canal Yangzhou Chronicles – 2 . Canals in Antique Maps (we r to the Nanwang enjoyed a preview of this volume when we Huai Rive Nanjing Changzhou Wuxi feeder system. The met the publisher Phoenix Science Press in Jiangnan Suzhou er Canal shaded areas show iv Hangzhou on September 18) – 3 . Waterway Dabie Shan R Taihu SHANGHAI Mountains ze where the Yellow River Yichang gt Lake Jiaxing Engineering and Management – 4 . Shipping n Ya Hangzhou has flowed across the and Transportation – 5 . Towns and Cities – 6 . g Huang Shan n a r Mountains t e Ningbo coastal plain over the an v Shaoxing Society and Culture – 7 . Historical Figures – 8 . 0 100km i Ri Yueyang Q Guiji Shan centuries. Historical Literature (I, II and III) – 9 . Special 4 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 WCC 2019 YANGZHOU

 Launch of the Gazetteer during the plenary session of the WCC on September 27  A traditional long tow heading north on the Grand Canal at Huai’an crosses the junction with the Huai River Navigation. This is the exceptional viewpoint from the locks – with the ‘greening’ of inland water  WCC delegates board the impressive new passenger footbridge at the Huai’an aqueduct/siphon structure. transport, and the Netherlands . The calibre of boat acquired by the city to serve as a waterbus The inset is an advertisement for Yangzhou seen in the the speakers and presence of such high-level along the old Grand Canal through the city. November 4 issue of the Toronto Star. dignitaries demonstrates the high standing of the conference and the importance given to deep main line that bypasses the city to the Resources . Before publishing this monumental waterways heritage in China . east . Visits for delegates included boat trips on work, Phoenix Scientific Press had already the old canal and the Slender West Lake, both produced a number of books about the Grand Tourism potential untapped of which have tourist boats but no private hire Canal, although currently these are all in The joint opening event on the Thursday boats . This would seem to be a huge opportu- Chinese . IWI’s president David Edwards-May evening included a spectacular display of nity for tourism on the Grand Canal in China . has been commissioned to edit/rewrite Li singing and dancing, covering the history of the David’s opening address on September 27 also Denan’s single volume summary of the gazet- Grand Canal . This was followed by a parade of underlined the international tourist’s enthu- teer under the title China’s Grand Canal: illuminated boats on a section of the old canal siasm for discovering the world’s busiest canal . Mirror of Civilisation . We look forward to this route through Yangzhou which otherwise has The organisers (the Ministry of Culture and addition to what is a very limited library of no boats, as commercial traffic uses the wide Tourism and Jiangsu Province) arranged literature in English on the Grand Canal .

High-level speeches Gaozhou Lock south of The conference, held in conjunction with Yangzhou, on the old Grand the WCCO’s annual forum, was attended by Canal. The visitor experience about 400 delegates from around the world . here does not yet include the It started with a WCC technical programme lock itself.  on September 26, in the Shangri La Hotel, hosted by Wang Jinquan, Dean of International Studies . It included addresses by Liu Yuitong, A tribute to Grand Canal vice-mayor of Yangzhou, and presentations boatmen was one of the capti- on culture, tourism and intangible heritage on vating scenes during the show the Chinese canals by Ma Qianli of Yangzhou to launch the Canal Carnival. University and Christian Fardel, and examples The show was to run for several of canal heritage and tourism in Canada, Ghent, nights after the première on and Suez . September 27.  The plenary sessions on 27th were in the Jinghang Congress Centre, and included addresses from our president, Wu Zhengdong, Governor of Jiangsu Province, Juan Carlos Varela, former President of Panama, representatives from the canal cities of Hangzhou and Jining and Luo Shugang, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China . The next session, after the launch of the Gazetteer, had a keynote speech from WCCO Chairman Zhu Minyang, a feature on waterways restoration in Ghent from our vice-president Rudy Van der Ween and a lively presentation from Scottish Canals . There were contributions from Chinese cities, as well as Finland, notable for the combination of infrastructure project – lengthening of the Saimaa Canal World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 5 WCC YANGZHOU CHINA

an impressive conference with high-profile Next stop, Leipzig!  The Jiangsu Navigation Authority’s inspection launch speakers including the Minister Luo Shugang The WCC in 2020 will be held in Leipzig, leaves the improvised mooring at Baodai bridge after and many regional and local dignitaries . We Germany, focusing on the old lignite mine the 11 km cruise down the canal from their offices on the enjoyed the programme of visits, although workings now repurposed for boating, and on western side of Suzhou. none of these included any trip or visits to sites plans to restore the Saale-Elster Canal linking  The tour group and accompanying on the main commercial Grand Canal . Leipzig with the river Saale and thus the personalities from Suzhou during the cruise. Prior to the main WCC, some delegates connected waterways network . The delegation  The Huai’an aqueduct, footbridge from France and the UK had been fortunate from Leipzig made an enticing presentation and viewing tower on the western side. enough to form their own impressions of the at Yangzhou and delegates look forward to an modern Grand Canal and its amazing struc- equally interesting and action-packed event in tures, including Hangzhou, Suzhou, Huai’an Germany next year .  Janet Gascoigne. and Nanjing . The amount of freight carried is impressive . One set of locks, at Shaobo north of Yangzhou, holds the record for passing The Huai’an Junction distinguishing navigable and non- more than a million tonnes of cargo in one day . navigable waters showing the aqueduct/siphon structure just north of the junction with the Subei Irrigation Suzhou cruise General Canal, which means that it is also an important Our first full day in Suzhou included the high- navigation. dem/Xingming Zhong light of the whole trip: a trip on the Grand Canal from the Transport Ministry Waterways Jining upstream limit Department depot to the famous “precious of navigation on Grand Canal belt” bridge . The craft was 苏航政 (Su Hang Zheng) 002, the inspection launch of the Jiangsu Navigation Authority . Mixing it with Flood diversion channel constant stream of barges was exhilarating Aqueduct/siphon 800 m3/s (despite the rain !) and was probably a unique Huaihe Sea Entryway N Viewing towers and footbridge experience for Western tourists . We were Subei Irrigation General Canal also able to have a Q and A session with our escorts from the Publicity Department of the Hung-tse Lake CPC Suzhou Municipal Committee: Gao Ping, and Huaihe River upstream Huaihe Sea Entryway Wang Gang, Zhang Lan and Zhou Manqun, Pumping Subei Irrigation General Canal and from the Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office: Jin stations Ming . Our thanks go to all our hosts here, and Lock Biandan Port to the staff of the Suzhou Water and Suzhou East China Sea Transportation Bureaux, for making this amazing trip happen . South-North Water Transfer Huai’an ‘spaghetti junction’ Intake Canal The aqueduct at Huai’an was another highlight . The visit revealed it to be a huge siphon, 3 designed to pass 800 m /s of Huai river flood Huai’an Locks water . Huai’an also had a remarkable canal museum, recommended to us by our Chinese waterways specialist Edith Bronder . The Yangzhou and maquettes reproducing scenes of engineering Yangtze River 0 1 km and pageants on the canal were superb .

-45°

6 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 Inland Waterways Pavilion 2020 18-26 January – Exhibitors’ Directory

Hall 13 – D73 D73 is the highly visible central location of the Inland Waterways Pavilion, on the main route through Hall 13

Across the aisle will be boats designed and built by Les Canalous (France, F73), Locaboat (France/Nether- F73 lands, F67) and Linssen Yachts (Netherlands, F63). F67 F63 These adjacent stands welcome inland waterway D61 exhibitors and IWI corporate members Le Boat D59 (D61), Kuhnle Werft (D59) and Kuhnle Tours (D57). 60 D57 to Hall 12

he Inland Waterways Pavilion at boot Düsseldorf 2020, assembled by IWI, builds on the success of the 2019 Come and meet the from European Waterways edition, inviting visitors to discover family! (hopefully Hall 14 Texciting destinations across Europe from extending to North Also on the central aisle opposite Kuhnle America in 2021) France to Serbia, hopefully expanding Werft is Waterway Tourism Initiative of to North America in 2021. The Inland Northern Brandenburg (WinTO, D60). Waterways Pavilion is located in the middle of Hall 13, with a special focus on self-drive A. Waterway authorities hireboat holidays. As shown on the hall layout diagram above, several of the leading increase that figure by nearly 3% per annum . hireboat companies will be present on and Waterways are also a source of life and anima- around the pavilion, promoting a high- tion . Multifunctionality is the key to success : quality and sustainable boating lifestyle on energy from hydropower, space for recreation new innovative boats. e Vlaamse Waterweg nv (Flemish and tourism, as well as the transport function . Discover these destinations at our Inland D Waterways) manages all the waterways in The greatest care is taken in ecological and Waterways Pavilion : meet bodies in charge Flanders (Belgium) . The ambitions are wide- landscape impacts of all works . [Stand 4] of the inland waterways, or the local and ranging, encompassing all the functions of a vlaamsewaterweg.be regional authorities that are developing the vibrant waterway network, from high-capacity use of these resources. Meet associations inland water transport to tourism and recrea- Other waterway authorities that are promoting a ‘new deal’ for the tion, including flood protection and other envi- IWI represents the interests of inland waterway waterways in Serbia and Brandenburg, ronmental benefits . De Vlaamse Waterweg authorities across the globe, from Ireland to India, where the tourism potential remains aims to provide a multifaceted and fully navi- from Sweden to New York State, Canada and Nigeria. underdeveloped. gable waterway network, to be increasingly Many are national authorities, while others manage The other exhibitors and partners in attractive for inland water transport . regional networks or individual waterways. the pavilion offer products, services and In all De Vlaamse Waterweg nv takes care Association of Inland Waterway Authorities UK information that cover European inland of 1076 km of canals and rivers, 131 locks, Canal and River Trust UK waterways as a whole. A whole world to 800 bridges, 195 km of quay walls, 1100 km Dalslands Kanal AB Sweden discover and enjoy ! of banks, 2046 km of towpaths and almost Göta Kanalbolag AB Sweden This section of WWW33 introduces 6600 ha of public land along its waterways . Inland Waterways Authority of India India members and readers to the co-exhibitors, Currently, the most important infrastruc- National Inland Waterways Authority Nigeria also listing all our current corporate ture projects are modernisation of the Albert New York State Canal Corporation USA members in the different categories : Canal and implementation of the Seine- Parks Canada Canada (a) Waterway authorities, (b) Boats and Scheldt project in Flanders . Ředitelství vodních cest ČR Czech Republic waterway tourism providers, (c) Local The organisation also invests in the develop- Scottish Canals UK and regional authorities, (d) Associations, ment of industrial zones along the waterways, Sjöfartsverket Sweden societies, trusts, foundations and (e) including the construction of quay walls (with Státni Plavební Správa Czech Republic Publishers, media, consultants, industry. private enterprises) . The system currently Vode Vojvodine PWMC Serbia The volunteers staffing the IWI lounge will relieves the region’s roads of 3 5. million Voies Navigables de France France be supporting all our members. ¢ lorry movements annually, and it is hoped to Waterways Ireland Ireland World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 7 OSLO

BOOT DÜSSELDORF 2020 STOCKHOLM Discover Europe’s inland waterways Inverness Scotland Falkirk Wheel EDINBURGH Glasgow

Forth and Clyde Canal at Kilsyth

Belfast Gdansk

Athlone Nieuwpoort Lock DUBLIN Liverpool Hamburg Szczecin Bydgoszcz Nottingham

Birmingham WARSZAWA BERLIN Amsterdam

nland waterways offer enormous value CARDIFF and benefits to society : mostly built LONDON over a period of about 250 years from Flanders Leipzig the mid-17th century to the end of the 19thI century, they now serve a wide range of Düsseldorf functions as water resources and corridors BRUSSEL of biodiversity, while allowing local people LilleLille Limburg and visitors from near and far to enjoy the Frankfurt-am-Main unique experience of discovering landscapes, PRAHA towns and cities from the water. A whole world to discover and enjoy ! And countless new opportunities for business and creation of jobs. This simplified map, based on the European PARIS Stuttgart Waterways Map published by Transmanche BRATISLAVA Strasbourg WIEN (p.17), shows a vast and complex network in many parts of Europe, which is a long way from being used to its full potential. ¢ BUDAPEST

Nantes France

Novi Sad Lyon ZAGREB Venezia Milano BEOGRAD Bordeaux

2 Toulouse Ferrières-les-Ray, Petite Saône Canal du Midi in autumn Marseille

8 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020

ROMA OSLO

STOCKHOLM INLAND WATERWAYS PAVILION

Inverness

English narrowboats cross Håverud aqueduct

EDINBURGH Glasgow

Belfast Gdansk

Barge moored on the Finow Kanal at Eberswalde Athlone

DUBLIN Liverpool Hamburg Szczecin Bydgoszcz Nottingham

Birmingham Brandenburg WARSZAWA BERLIN Amsterdam

CARDIFF LONDON Saxony Leipzig

Düsseldorf

BRUSSEL LilleLille Limburg WCC 2020 Frankfurt-am-Main PRAHA Cospuden Lock in Leipzig’s ‘New Lake District’

PARIS Stuttgart BRATISLAVA Strasbourg WIEN

BUDAPEST

Nantes

On the Zuidwillemsvaart in Maastricht

Novi Sad Lyon ZAGREB Venezia Milano BEOGRAD Bordeaux Serbia

Toulouse Ferrières-les-Ray, Petite Saône 3 Marseille

Darsena Grande at the Arsenale docks, Venice, base for World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 the e-Regata on June 3-6, 2020 / 9 Zrenjanin, river Tamiš The Danube at Golubac

ROMA BOOT DÜSSELDORF 2020

B. Boats and waterway tourism

The Propriétaire and Premium fleets are the boats that offer the greatest live-aboard comfort and the widest range of services . The Classic fleet offers a good compromise between price qua Libra Yachtcharter is a boat hire and a convivial atmosphere on board . The uhnle Tours offers houseboats for rental A firm based in the Maasplassen or ‘Meuse Access fleet covers boats for all, with the French K in several of the most exciting cruising lakes’ area of Flanders close to the Dutch label tourisme et handicap . Finally, the Low Cost destinations in Europe . The company, long- border, an ideal starting point for boating fleet consists of simply-designed boats at low established at Müritz in the heart of the holidays in the heart of Europe . From here prices . Whether customers want to cruise for Mecklenburg lake district, sets great store by clients can head off north, west or south, to a weekend, a few days or one to several weeks, providing the cruising experience that will discover historic towns in the Netherlands Les Canalous offers tailor-made stays adapted most completely fulfil the client’s aspirations . and Belgium, such as Roermond, Maastricht, to their expectations and budget . See more on They are accustomed to handling novices and Den Bosch, Liège, Namur, Dinant and many the first website below . For those who would experienced seafarers, fishing and cycling more . Founder Luc Vanthoor is proud of the like to buy a boat, Les Canalous offers both new enthusiasts, families, couples or groups of wealth of the regional gastronomy and the rich and second-hand boat for sale (see the second friends . Whether looking for nature, culture cultures of Limburg, Flanders and Wallonia . website) . [Stands 5 and f73] or action, or just peace and quiet, they aim to Highlights are the Belgian Ardennes and the www.lescanalous.com www.bateau.fr make the client’s dream holiday come true on Dutch Biesbosch, and countless historical their houseboat . cities in the southern Netherlands . Aqua Libra The company operates 13 charter bases in is partner of the Linssen Boating Holidays® different regions of Germany, France, Poland network, and offers all-inclusive rental to and the Netherlands, offering a remarkable the highest standards, with Linssen yachts . ausboot Irland is the marketing name diversity of landscapes . Undeveloped rivers, [Sponsor ‘Day of the Canals’] aqua-libra.be H for Carrickcraft and Waveline Cruisers vast lakes or secluded canals? Each area has its aimed at German clients for these fleets, own charm and merits, but there will always which are part of the Locaboat Holidays be great diversity, on and around the water . family . Ireland is renowned as one of Europe’s The charter fleet consists of 52 types of boats . premier destinations for inland cruising From a small picnic boat for an afternoon holidays . With lush green countryside, silvery excursion to the 25-tonne ‘barge’ for the long- es Canalous is one of the biggest cruising rivers, rich heritage and a warm welcome, distance cruise, from the cosy two-person L boat builders and rental companies in Ireland offers a unique experience . From cabin cruiser to the large ‘yacht’ with 12 France, with 38 years’ experience . It offers Belleek at the tip of Lough Erne to Killaloe at berths, Kuhnle now has 160 boats in its cata- a wide range of licence-free canal and river the southern end of the Shannon, there are logue . [Stands d57/d59 and Sponsor] boats, for return or one-way trips throughout 300 miles of interconnecting rivers and lakes . www.kuhnle-tours.com France and Europe . The boats are available Navigation between the North and South of for 2 to 12 people, and with 1 to 6 cabins . The Ireland was made possible by the re-opening models are divided into six different fleets . of the Shannon-Erne Waterway linking the two great rivers . One-way cruises are possible . LaPéniche S is the model exhibited on stand f73 www.hausbootirland.de [‘Day of the Canals’ sponsor] e Boat is the number one provider of L license-free boating vacations on the beautiful rivers, lakes and canals of Europe and Canada . Founded 50 years ago in 1969, it has the world’s largest fleet of luxury houseboats and the widest choice of destinations to choose onkers Yachts are generous sponsors of from . Le Boat’s 60-page brochure details the J this year’s ‘Day of the Canals’ on January 20 . products available in 2020, with 940 boats Founder Alexander Jonkers and his team are available across 17 regions in 9 countries . The agents for Linssen Yachts, Fairline Yachts and stand adjacent to the Inland Waterways Pavilion Jeanneau, renowned for their craftsmanship, features a Horizon 1 model . Since 2016 the The Électrique fleet breaks new ground by pioneering technology and top quality mate- Horizon series has been exclusively built for being 100% electric . LaPéniche S is the display rials . The company, based in Ouddorp, South Le Boat by Delphia Yachts, Poland . model, with a traditional form that blends into Holland, delivers both new and ‘pre-owned’ ‘What makes our vacations so memorable is the surrounding countryside easily, while at motor or sailing yachts . The service is not our ability to help boaters find truly special the same time being inarguably modern . The limited to purchasing and selling; the company moments : the unexpected turn where you boat is silent and does not pollute, combining also acts as a service centre for maintenance emerge upon a beautiful oasis and wildlife, respect for the environment and great and winter storage, and advises on financing, cruising into a small Italian village and discov- comfort : five cabins and four bathrooms make insurance, mooring and yacht transport . ering a surprise festival with music and tasting it ideal for larger groups or families . [‘Day of the Canals’ sponsor] great food with local restaurateurs, or cruising www.jonkers.org the Burgundy Region and enjoying award- 10 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 EXHIBITORS’ DIRECTORY

The Horizon 1 model (here on one of the many beautiful lakes on the Rideau Canal) is the one shown on Le Boat’s Stand d61 isitors to boot Düsseldorf can look © Holger Leue V forward to a world first: from January 18 to 26, they will experience the Pénichette® Évolution at stand e71 . This new model combines the unique features of the previous Locaboat models : very easy to control and manœuverable like the Pénichette® Classique, equipped with a rear terrace like the Pénichette® Terrasse and a double steering position inside and outside as in the Flying Bridge models . winning wines from the deck of your boat ’. fluctuations than is usual in the market . Clients Tradition and modern technology make this Le Boat is expanding its operations in Canada have a reliable and healthy partner in Linssen boat a unique model . Inside there is a real in 2020 . The Rideau Canal will have more Yachts who will continue to provide them with innovation with a modular living and sleeping Horizon cruisers at its base in Smiths Falls, advice and assistance even after a couple of area for two to four people . bringing the Canadian fleet to a total of 24 decades . [Stand f73 and sponsor] Premier Horizon cruisers ranging from two www.linssenyachts.com cabins to five . The coming cruising season will also see more models of Le Boat´s new largest premier cruiser, the Horizon 5, in the fleet and its introduction into Ireland . [Stand d61] www.leboat.com www.leboat.de

n offshoot from the boatbuilding A company Linssen Yachts, LBH is a Europe- wide network of hire boat operators, all inde- pendent and passionate about seeing the world from the water as a unique experience . The The new Évolution cruising in the Netherlands ith 70 years of experience building operators make their clients feel like guests . W motor yachts, Linssen knows that the LBH has a strong presence at the leading Boat During the day an open, light-flooded purchase of a motor yacht as an asset is an Shows, which clients regularly visit to book room for everyday life on board, which can important moment . Financial, technical and their cruising holiday for the coming year . be converted in a few simple steps into two practical considerations each have their own The Linssen Boating Holidays® partners have double cabins for the night . This makes the weight in the selection and decision-making shared enthusiasms . They genuinely love life Evolution® the smartest houseboat in the process . Clients want certainty about the boat afloat, and they are satisfied only with the best Locaboat fleet . herself, but also about the supplier, who is quality . They opted for Linssen motor yachts This model has the new ‘Lippcon®’ drive effectively the boatowner’s partner . The quali- for guaranteed quality, and combine forces in developed by Linssen . A single 17 .5 kw gener- ties of both become apparent after delivery . the knowledge that it will allow them to offer ator provides the power for three uses: driving, Purchasers also want to have a clear idea of the a better service . They subscribe to the mission mooring and using electricity on board . The soundness of their investment . statement of Linssen Yachts: ‘We take your 2 2. kw bow thruster and the stern thruster pleasure seriously’ . With a wide and varied make the controls child’s play even for begin- The Grand Sturdy 30.0 ac is a match for the larger yachts range of charter agencies, the LBH network is ners . The boat also has a shower and separate in the series, in terms of both comfort and handling. Europe’s biggest provider in this sector . Year electric toilet, a fully equipped kitchen with after year, by following the expert advice of dedi- fridge, microwave oven, stove and sink, as cated staff at each base, customers experience well as warm air heating and radio with USB unforgettable charter holidays on Linssen Yachts . [Stand 7] www.linssen boatingholidays. com

The Linssen Yachts brand represents a sound family business which has been operating in the yacht building industry on a secure financial footing since 1949 . To demonstrate the dura- bility of their products in terms of quality and being a sound investment, Linssen points to The airy saloon of the new the sale value of pre-owned yachts . A Linssen Grand Sturdy 30.0 AC retains its value and is subject to fewer price World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 11 BOOT DÜSSELDORF 2020 connection . Another highlight are the three Located in the heart of Limburg’s Maasplassen outside areas of the boat: stern terrace, bow water sports area, the string of lakes offers terrace and the flying bridge with outside 3000 ha of water space directly connected to the steering position . Meuse . The Maasplassen lend themselves to In 2020, Locaboat Holidays expands the fleet swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, fishing, by 10 more Pénichette® Evolution boats to a water-skiing and wakeboarding . The charming total of 38 for the bases in Germany, France town of Wessem has a historic centre with and Holland . [Stands 6 and f67] cosy cobblestone streets, a promenade along www.locaboat.com the Meuse River and hospitable waterfront restaurants . Wessem marina is an excellent starting point for boaters who want to explore the region . The unique character of the inland waterways permeates the Maasplassen, with the nautical boulevard in Wessem as the ideal starting point . [stand 1/2] he Nautische Boulevard in Wessem on www.nautischeboulevard.nl T the Meuse is 8a joint venture of six compa- The Heerenlaak Marina in Maaseik nies, offering an innovative service centre for water sports, where boaters’ every needs are catered for, including boat servicing, repairs Other boat companies in IWI : and wintering . There are reliable suppliers of arec describes itself as a ‘sea of recrea- The diversity of the inland marine industry is reflected boat accessories and products, visitors can buy M tion’ . The company has been operating De in our professional membership, covering boat and rent boats, and there is a wide choice of Spaanjerd Marina and Heerenlaak Marina on building and rental, passenger boat operators and attractive moorings . the Maas since 1980 . De Spaanjerd Marina in a complete range of services, from marinas to sales, The marina has more than 1000 comfort- Kinrooi is especially popular with sailboats insurance and boat transport. able berths, and box berths for different sizes, and large cabin yachts . There are nearly 1000 Braunston Marina Ltd UK within walking distance of the town . The port berths for a wide range of vessels from dinghies Castelmoron Nautic France offers suitable moorings for all kinds of craft . on land to yachts with a maximum length of Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina UK Regular guests and visiting boats are equally 35 m . Heerenlaak Marina in Maaseik (440 France Fluviale France welcome . There are both covered parking berths) is on a lake with no speed limit, and Hennings Yacht-Vertrieb GmbH Germany spaces and outdoor parking spaces . All is particularly attractive to the owners of fast Hobbs of Henley UK parking spaces are secured . Modern, heated motor boats . Marec is a unique area offering Jachthaven Wetterwille Netherlands and dust-free halls provide winter parking numerous recreational possibilities on and Loch Lomond Boating Holidays UK for all types of pleasure boats . The experi- around the water . The marinas are connected Mobiliar Club + Charter Germany enced Nautical Boulevard experts will take to large lakes, where various water sports such NAUTIV vzw Belgium care of boat maintenance and repairs . Several as sailing, speed boating and water skiing can NaviSaimaa Finland companies also offer the possibility of renting be enjoyed . They also are connected to the Nicols (Constructions Nautiques) France workshop space or a boathouse for owners to international network of navigable waterways . Ontario Waterway Cruises Inc Canada carry out their own maintenance . Even larger- With its luxurious campsites De Spaanjerd Puur Yacht Charters Germany scale works – partial or complete renovation, and Heerenlaak, Marec also offers a ‘home Saimaacharter Ltd, Vuokravenho Oy Finland remodelling or refurbishing – can be under- port’ for campers who appreciate comfort and Shepperton Marina UK taken here, with all the necessary expertise to high quality facilities . [Stand 3] Tingdene Marinas Ltd UK be found in one place . www.marec.be Yacht Charter Holiday Tours GmbH Germany

C. Regional/local authorities

integrated into the global economic cycle . lakes, inland waterways and tourist infrastruc- International science and research are repre- ture on an extraordinary level . sented as well as a cultural diversity of historic This task – unprecedented in its scale and sights, traditional culture and innovative art complexity – has brought about a stunning venues . In addition Leipzig is blessed with change in the landscape, urban environ- a vast expanse of highly varied green spaces ment as well as social and economic struc- comprising a dense network of rivers, streams, tures . Hence the theme of the conference: canals and lakes, that has been constantly reshaping landscapes – waterways in expanding in recent years . One of Central transition . The City of Leipzig in cooperation eipzig, host of this year’s World Canals Europe’s largest floodplain forests with several with Leipziger Messe GmbH and Europäischer LConference, is an urban metropolis – young, rivers and streams runs right through the Metropolregion Mitteldeutschland e V. . dynamic and green – located about 160 km city and is also connected to a broad regional is proud to be hosting the World Canals southwest of Berlin in Eastern Germany . waterway network . Conference in September 2020 (see 4-page The city now has nearly 600 000 inhabitants, The former lignite mining sites have under- supplement in WWW No . 32 .) [stand 00] and is still growing . The traditional city of gone extensive and laborious remediation www.gruenerring-leipzig.de commerce, trade shows and industry has been measures to reclaim them: the creation of www.wccleipzig2020.com 12 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 EXHIBITORS’ DIRECTORY

The Weisse Elster in Leipzig-Plagwitz. Passenger boat on the Saale below Bernburg Castle

shore, the amazing terrace cafés, or tasting the regional food and beverages . Visitors are warmly invited to Maasgouw, ‘to he World Heritage Region of Anhalt- he municipality of Maasgouw is let all your senses be spoiled’! [stand 1/2] T Dessau-Wittenberg – just one hour from T situated in the heart of the Maasplassen . A www.gemeentemaasgouw.nl Berlin and Leipzig – is a region rich in history quarter of this area consists of wetland . This with four Unesco World Heritage sites : the makes it an ideal base for a boat trip . Old and Luther memorials in Wittenberg, the Garden new nature reserves are right next to each Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz, the Bauhaus other in this beautiful rural municipality . The building in Dessau and the Biosphere Reserve contrast between the natural environment and of the Middle Elbe . the rich cultural heritage is also remarkable . Brown coal which once connected the area Wessem’s ancient streets or the fortified town between Wittenberg and Bitterfeld shaped of Stevensweert (in the foreground of the view he North Brandenburg Water Tourism the region into a nowadays outstanding land- below) attract many tourists every year . The T Initiative (win) was founded in 2004 and scape of industrial culture with flooded former same goes for Maasbracht, the marine village is a joint project of the Barnim, Oberhavel and open strip mining pits that invite people to with its large inland port . Or the Drielingsluis, Ostprignitz-Ruppin districts, the towns of participate in water sports as in the Goitzsche a lock with a drop of 12 m, the highest in the Eberswalde, Liebenwalde, Neuruppin, Oranien- Landscape Park . Ferropolis, the former iron Netherlands . Thorn, once a small princi- burg and Templin and the municipalities of mining area near Gräfenhainichen, is a unique pality where women were in power, is now a Wandlitz and Fehrbellin . The joint project has open air museum and concert arena, which welcoming ‘white town’ waiting to be explored . strong ties with the neighbouring Mecklenburg will host the Gala Dinner for the World Canals All these villages can be reached by boat, Lake District . Conference in 2020 . [stand 11] mooring at one of the many jetties or marinas . WIN aims to develop the most attractive anhalt-dessau-wittenberg.de The extensive Maasplassen are to be enjoyed inland water tourism area in Europe together by all . Popular activities are meandering with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania by across the national borders into RivierPark investments in water tourism infrastructure in Maasvallei, enjoying 150 km of hiking trails on the region between Berlin, Lake Müritz and the

 Leipzig Zoo Congress Centre restored in 2015

The character of Maasgouw is summa- rised in this aerial view of part of the municipality, which includes the port of Maasbracht (right) and the villages of Heel (just beyond the conflu- ence between the Maas and the Juliana Kanal) and Horn. 

World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 13 BOOT DÜSSELDORF 2020

Zerpenschleuse, the new lock on the Finowkanal ‘Langer Trödel’ section reopened on June 16, 2016 © WIN-AG/Dr. Reinhard Schliebenow, Luftbild Barnim

Brandenburg has announced it will provide up to 90% funding for the other half . The necessary municipal decisions were made in 2019 . A special purpose association is due to be formed at the beginning of 2020 . [Stand d60] www.win-brandenburg.de

Other regional/local authorities in IWI Local authorities are increasingly investing in the development of inland waterways that are not under rivers Havel and Oder, linking the area directly Project 3: Oranienburger Waters/Ruppiner their own jurisidiction. Our members in this category with Poland via the Finowkanal and the Oder . Canals – Construction of Friedenthal lock to are all engaging with the national or regional Since 2004, the following projects have been begin in 2020) . waterway authorities concerned, in five European at the centre of the work of the WIN-initiative: Another current project is maintenance of countries, the USA and China. Project 1: Extension of the Werbellinkanal the motorized navigability of the Finowkanal, Bydgoszcz City Council Poland (completed in 2011, reopened after renovation the oldest still navigable artificial waterway Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor USA in 2019); in Germany celebrating its 400th anniver- Escales Fluviales de Bretagne France Project 2: Expansion of Finowkanal, Section sary in 2020 . In a pilot project that is unique Lys Sans Frontières France ‘Langer Trödel’ (opened on June 16, 2016); in Germany, a local authority association will Kempen en Maasland (Regl. Landschap) Belgium Almost €22 million have been invested in take over, repair and operate the 12 historic Stad Gent - Watertoerisme Belgium these first two projects . Of this, WIN munic- Finowkanal locks from the federal government Syndicat Mixte de la Vallée du Lot France ipal partners have contributed approximately in two lock packages . The federal government Town of Hancock, Maryland USA €8 million . bears half of the investment costs, the state of World Canal Cities Organization (WHCCCCO) China

D. Associations, societies, trusts, foundations

waterways . The 2850km-long Danube flows another 300 km of class RA and RB water- through the country from km 1433 to km ways in Vojvodina . This Resolution defines 845 65,. a length of 587 km . Serbia has about categories for recreational navigation RA, RB, 1860 km of navigable waterways, including RC and RD . The minimum depth required the network of 693 km of canals and navigable for small recreational craft is 0 .50 m . Vode rivers managed by the public water manage- Vojvodine manages the Danube-Tisa-Danube ment company Vode Vojvodine . Canal . This extensive canal network in Serbia anube Propeller promotes a new water- The Danube Propeller stand in January 2019 is a unique hydro-engineering system for flood D ways world that remains to be discovered . control and water management, land improve The idea of developing nautical tourism in the - ment and agriculture, forestry, water supply, Danube region was born in 1990 under the name waste water disposal, navigation, tourism, Danube Propeller . The project was promoted fishing and hunting . In central Serbia, there initially through the scientific conference are an additional 650 km of rivers suitable for Danube River of Cooperation, while lobbying nautical tourism (classes RA and RB) and international support brought the World . The total length available for recreational boats Canals Conference to Novi Sad in 2009 . The or nautical tourism throughout Serbia is esti association was formally established in 2007 . - mated at more than 3000 km . Danube Propeller’s mission is to establish and Serbia has 76 rivers longer than 50 km, 50 reinforce citizens’ common interest in develop- smaller rivers and nearly 100 isolated water ment, maintenance and use of the waterways bodies (lakes, oxbows, former gravel or sand in Serbia and the Middle Danube region . Its pits) that can serve for nautical tourism . There main aim is to create, coordinate and maintain are 14 operating locks : 12 in Vojvodina and 2 a sustainable future for the Serbian nautical on the Danube Iron Gate . In 2021 the entrance industry on rivers, canals, lakes and oxbows, lock to the DTD Canal at Bezdan is expected to former gravel or sand pits, where nautical be reopened to navigation, as well as the Bega tourism is underdeveloped . waterway to Timișoara in Romania Serbia has a remarkable network of inland According to UN Resolution 52, there are . The Danube has one of the most beautiful gorges 14 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 EXHIBITORS’ DIRECTORY in the world, the Iron Gate, flowing through tial as a working waterway . The canal, which the second international Boat Show to be Serbia and Romania over a length of 131km . was bypassed by the Oder-Havel Canal in the held in the Arsenale docks and the nearby Danube Propeller is grateful to a number of modern canal-building era of the early 20th lagoon, to raise awareness of the importance Serbian public and private agencies that have century, has 12 hand-operated historic locks, of improving the quality of air in the lagoon . supported this stand, particularly the National from Ruhlsdorf down to Liepe, the location of The association’s presence at this year’s Inland Tourist Organisation of Serbia, the Serbian the 80-year old historic Niederfinow ship lift, Waterways Pavilion is aimed at attracting Ports Agency and the Belgrade Fair Boat Show where a new, bigger lift is nearing comple- additional participants in the e-Regata, who (April 2-6, 2020) . [Stand 10] tion . The locks represent the technology of the will show their boats’ performance under /inlandwaterwaysinternational.org/ 1870s, and their maintenance requires expendi- different headings through four trials . All corporate-members/danube-propeller/ ture that has been supported until now by every electric and hybrid boats will also be able to German government . The current govern- take part in a parade on June 3 starting in the ment has long considered that money spent Arsenale and proceeding past San Marco and on waterways that are ‘only for tourism’ was through the Grand Canal to head through not justified . Unser Finowkanal feels that the Cannaregio to return along the Fondamenta canal is technological and cultural heritage that Nove and back into the Arsenale . Sponsorship is well worth preserving, so that future genera- is needed to fund the event . he Saale-Elster-Kanal Förderverein is tions can continue to appreciate the accom- The e-Regata’s organising committee includes T an association founded in 2007 after several plishments of their forefathers . The association Assonautica Venezia, representing the local inhabitants visited the Falkirk Wheel in also aims to tell the story of the region and to boatowners, the Associazione Motonautica Scotland . This unique structure struck them as bring new life to the canal . Veneziana and the cultural association being an excellent example of what was needed Venti di Cultura, while communication and to complete the Saale-Elster canal, unfinished management of sponsorship will be handled since 1943 . The activity is essentially public by Triumph Group International . The event relations and lobbying, to raise awareness of is fully supported by Vela SA, organiser of the the value of the project for tourism develop- Salone Nautico on behalf of the city of Venice . ment in central Germany, including Saxony and IWI’s Alternative Fuels Committee has also Saxony-Anhalt, and among local and regional contributed to setting up the project and will politicians . Substantial progress has been made run one of the round tables on June 6 .

NAUT SO IC S A in recent years . Significant progress was made in 2019, when A

Inland Waterways International

The association is also interested in the the local authorities finally agreed to share with V E N E Z I A conservation of historic structures and build- the Federal Government the cost of restoring ings along the canal . A breakthrough in recog- 10 of the 12 locks on the canal, forming a joint Take part in the biggest ever e-Regata at the nition of the project took place in April 2011, body (Zweckverband) for this purpose . This when the Saale-Elster canal hosted for the first organisation will be responsible for operateing 2nd Salone Nautico in time an international event, a joint initiative the locks after their restoration . (The other Venice, 3-6 June 2020 with IWI . The symposium in Merseburg on the two locks, at Schöpfurth and Eberswalde, Saale gave attendees reliable information on had already been restored .) All locks will be ¢ a world first event on this scale the multiple benefits of completing the canal equipped for automatic operation, a decision ¢ for zero-emission-powered boats ¢ join participants from 12 countries during a unique from the Saale through to Leipzig’s inland regretted by the association’s members . This event in the Arsenale docks and in the nearby lagoon port, the Lindenau-Hafen, and on into the successful outcome of lengthy negotiations will ¢ historic flotilla parade on June 3rd rivers and lakes of Leipzig . The conference was be celebrated during the year’s events marking (open to hybrid boats) part of the IWI study tour of the waterways of the 400th anniversary of construction of the ¢ four trials over two days on June 4th and 5th; prize-giving on 6th Czechia (Bohemia) and the Leipzig region . The first Finow Canal . Event supported by the City of Venice, to contribute [‘Day of the Canals’ sponsor] to energy transition for the quality of life of Venetians association and its members will be assisting and visitors alike. the hosts of the World Canals Conference in unser-finowkanal.eu [email protected] Leipzig in September 2020 . [Sponsor] Deadline for pre-registration: 15/02/20 www. saaleelsterkanal.de The parade 1or corteo will pass through Cannaregio

2 3

LEGEND 1 Punta San Giuliano 2 Moorings in the Canal delle Galeazze 3 Trials in the Arsenale main dock Parade on 3 June Autonomy trial : giro del Fasiol enice agenda 2028 is an NGO working V with Venetians to ensure that by the year 2028, all motor boats including water-buses, nser Finowanal e V. . is an association taxis, work and private boats are zero-emis- U founded in 2013 to promote and work on sion, low-wash electric boats . An interna- keeping the 400-year-old Finow Canal open for tional list of 40 suppliers, many in Europe, recreational navigation . Since then, the asso- are ready to meet the power and autonomy ciation has been engaging intensely with the requirements of every type of boat in the regional and local authorities, to encourage Italian lagoon city . www.salonenautico.venezia.it them to take on responsibility for operating The association is heading a unique event, the canal, in recognition of its economic poten- an e-Regata, on June 3-6, 2020, as part of World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 15 Murano

BOOT DÜSSELDORF 2020

Ponte della Libertà Other associations in IWI Associations make up the largest number of corporate

CANNAREGIO San Michele members and cover an enormous variety of interests in 14 different countries. Promoting national Santa networks or individual waterways is a vocation Lucia common to many of these organisations, while others represent diverse interests, such as boaters, histo- SANTA CROCE rians or promoters of waterways as cultural heritage. 1 2 SAN MARCO Alliance des Rhodaniens France Assn. pour le Développemt. du Tourisme Fluvial France DORSODURO CASTELLO Australian Canal Society Australia C anale della Canal Society of New York State USA Giu Sacca dec Fisola ca Centro Internazionale Civiltà dell’Acqua Italy Sacca San Giorgio San Biagio Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Association USA GIUDECCA DBA The Barge Association UK Delaware Canal 21 USA Sant’Elena HISWA-RECRON Marine Industry Netherlands La Grazia Inland Waterways Association UK LEGEND Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Ireland 1 Moorings in the Canal delle Galeazze 2 Trials in the Darsena Grande, Arsenale Monmouth., Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust UK Route of parade on 3 June Musée et Jardins du Canal du Midi France San Clemente Autonomy trial : giro del Fasiol Natl. Centre of Engineering Competitions ANO Russia Navicula Association of Elblag Canal Admirers Poland Plavba a vodní cesty Czech Rep. Key locations for the e-Regata on June 3-6 are Currently, 15 boatbuilders have expressed Royal Canal Amenity Group Ltd. Ireland shown on the map above . An additional base their intention to take part in the event . Schleusenverein Switzerland for trailer parking for competitors and cranage [‘Day of the Canals’ sponsor] Scottish Waterways Trust UK to launch their boats will be provided on the www.veniceagenda2028.org Swedish & Norwegian Canals Assn. Sweden/Norway mainland at Punta San Giuliano, at the Mestre www.salonenautico.venezia.it Venti di Cultura Italy end of the Ponte della Libertà . Vlaamse Pleziervaart Federatie v.z.w. Belgium E. Publishers, media, consultants, industry

1500 sailing and motor boats have found their trade fair home at boot’, explains Director Petros Michelidakis . Visitors are equally diverse: they will follow the trade fair’s call to attend from over 102 oot Düsseldorf is the biggest boat different countries . Michelidakis: ‘This means B and water sports trade fair in the world, that boot is not simply a show for regional where the entire industry meets in January visitors, rather, it is a recognised interna- every year . Nearly 2000 exhibitors, over 50 % tional industry event, characterised by its b2b from outside Germany, present their innova- platform . This is how decision-makers from tions, attractive developments and maritime large charter companies, for example, use the equipment at the show from 18 to 26 January trade fair: to gain a comprehensive overview of 2020 . Düsseldorf offers an exciting insight the market, to make direct contact with manu- into the entire water recreational world for facturers and to make comparisons ’. This is on the nine-day exhibition in 17 different halls the rise as charters are becoming more and on 220 000 m2 . Every water sport is present at more popular among boot visitors and exhib- boot : boats and yachts, engines, shipping and itors and are a real trend in the industry . yachting equipment and accessories, services, www.boot.de canoes, kayaks, rowing, rafting, water-skiing, wakeboarding, wakeskate, skimboarding, jetskiing, diving, surfing, windsurfing, kite- surfing, stand up paddleboarding, fishing, French-waterways.com serves as an agent for several hire maritime art, marinas and water sport facili- boat companies, river cruise and hotel barge operators ties as well as beach resorts and charter . rench-Waterways com. is the world’s ‘boot Düsseldorf is the only trade fair in the F most comprehensive and best-loved source French Waterways is founded on a passion world that truly represents the diversity of the of inspiration and information about enjoying for inland waterways cruising; 15 years of industry and scene . With manufacturers from the rivers and canals of France – on the water hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge more than 70 countries throughout the world or by the water, in one’s own craft, in a self- has built a thriving business, supported by expected to attend, we are unique in exhib- drive hire boat, on a luxury hotel barge charter an expert and creative team . The advice and iting such a wide range of product diversity . or on a large cruise-line riverboat . guidance French Waterways offers is second 16 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 EXHIBITORS’ DIRECTORY to none and understanding the potential for Customised waterway maps have been enjoying holidays afloat is what individuals, produced for many other IWI members, couples, families and larger groups really including VNF for the new Seine-Nord Europe need and value . The company’s single-minded Canal, Czech and Irish waterways . Recent objective is to provide the very best informa- consultancy assignments include restoration tion about cruising in France . of the boat lift at Les Fontinettes as a visitor French Waterways partners with major self- attraction, and development of the Batorama drive hire-boat companies, hotel barge owners passenger boat company in Strasbourg . and operators, and river cruise-line opera- Transmanche also organises occasional study tors, to whom it refers hundreds of paying tours : a tour to the River Lot, potentially navi- customers every year . For those wishing gable over a distance of 275 km, was arranged in to purchase a cruising holiday or vacation partnership with the Alliance des Rhodaniens afloat it offers the benefit of extensive part- in June 2019 . nerships with the very best fleets, individual In partnership with the web portal french- owners and operators, and the specialist waterways .com, the focus on the French services of cruise agents across the world . This waterway network is to improve awareness year the company is sharing the stand with of the potential of this vast network and to Transmanche Publications . [stand 9] encourage boat owners from across Europe to www.french-waterways.com visit France by water . [Stand 9] www.transmanche.net

Peter Linssen advises a visitor to the LBH stand in 2019.

n 2011 the Linssen brothers handed Transmanche uiper Verzekeringen is a leading insurer of I over the rudder of Linssen Yachts BV, Publications K boats and yachts, marine insurance policies founded by their father in 1949, to the third accounting for 40-45% of its annual turnover . The generation . The youngest brother Peter ransmanche Publications is part of company has more than 70 years of experience and his daughter Wendy founded Linssen T Transmanche Consultants based in Lille . It in this field . The company is generously spon- & Linssen BVBA, to become the Official continues the publishing activity founded by soring the Inland Waterways Pavilion’s ‘Day of the Concessionaire of the mark Linssen Boating IWI’s current president David Edwards-May as Canals’ conference on January 20 . Holidays®, in close collaboration with the Euromapping in 1993, when the first European [‘Day of the Canals’ sponsor]] mother company in Maasbracht . Their objec- Waterways Map was published . The publisher www.kuiperverzekeringen.nl ¢ tive was to develop the hire boat holiday also produces reference maps of inland water- business . Linssen & Linssen BVBA invested ways in North America and Ireland, and the above all in charter yachts that are part of LBH history of the Canal du Midi by Inland Waterways charter fleets over a wide variety of destina- Association (UK) co-founder Tom Rolt . All are tions throughout Europe . It turned out to be available for sale on the French Waterways stand, Other companies in IWI : a successful formula . New interesting sailing along with David Edwards-May’s publications on This group of members includes inland waterways areas and professional partners strengthened the extensive French waterway system – a guide engineering and socio-economic consultants in North the position in the market and LBH became and map – published by Imray (UK) . America and Europe, publishers in Europe and China, a well-known player in the world of yacht and providers of a variety of services to the marine charter in Europe, in the segment of luxury The European Waterways Map and Directory (also avail- industry : boat transport, finance, insurance, repairs, steel motor yachts between 8 and 15 m long . able in German and French editions) is on sale on the etc. A special mention for new members Bergmann, Interaction between the sales department of French Waterways stand. NY, and Keli Cultural Creativity in Hangzhou founded the shipyard in Maasbracht and the interna- by Frenchman Christian Fardel, who is developing tional charter network increased significantly specialised tour products on the Grand Canal. over the years . That is why in mid-2017 it was B-MAR Marine Insurance Belgium decided to reincorporate LBH totally into Bergmann USA Linssen Yachts . Since then, Wendy has been Biomatrix Solutions UK working full time at Linssen Yachts BV . The Canals Group Canada Linssen & Linssen BVBA supports the devel- Cultural Creativity Hangzhou China opment of LBH on a project basis by, for Editions du Breil France example, selecting potential new cruising areas McMullan & Associates, Inc. USA and/or partners, and participating in inter- Mosanaut Belgium national fairs and the annual World Canals Phoenix Science Press Ltd China Conference under the auspices of IWI – of Rabobank Peel-, Maas- en Leudal Netherlands which Peter Linssen became a board member Van de Wetering Boat Transport Netherlands in 2014 . The consultancy also provides copy- Vrolijks Projectbureau Netherlands writing and specific sector-oriented development plans . [stand 8] linssenboatingholidays.com

World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 17 BOOT DÜSSELDORF 2020 Programme for second ‘Day of the Canals’ A full programme of presentations Angela Zábojnik - Head of Division of Water including breaks for networking will and Land Management, City of Leipzig – s take place on Monday January 20 at the 14:45 Solutions for zero-emission- Inland Waterways Pavilion. Leipzig takes powered electric boats in inland centre stage as host of this year’s World navigation (UK) Canals Conference. We reproduce here the Kevin Desmond - President, Electric Boat detailed programme. Association, President, VeniceAgenda 2028, Member of IWI’s Alternative Fuels Committee 10:00 Coffee and welcome and co-organiser of e-Regata Venice, June Petros Michelidakis – Managing Director 3-6, 2020 of boot Düsseldorf & David Edwards-May, 15:20 Water tourism in the city of Ghent President of IWI - the economic impact of Ghent’s marinas 11:00 World Canals Conference 2020 (Belgium, Flanders) Waterways in transition – from mining to Rudy Van der Ween - Vice-president, IWI, water landscapes (Germany) Promoter of Water Tourism, City of Ghent Heiko Rosenthal – Deputy Mayor for the 15:55 And the way becomes the destina- Environment, Legal Affairs and Sport, City of tion - facts and figures about Locoboat’s Leipzig activitiy and clients. Presentation of the 11:30 Break coinciding corporate member new Evolution and other new develop- Le Boat’s launch of the press and VIP event ments in 2020 Opening of the new Scaldis Lock in Ghent in 2018 on the adjacent stand (D61) Yvonne Schön – Marketing & Sales Manager, Welcome to the Horizon 1 and Horizon 5 Locaboat Holidays Rüdiger Dittmar, Director of Division, Cheryl Brown CEO, Le Boat 16:30 The blue economy in the Nether- Urban Green Areas & Watercourses, City 12:00 The royal River Thames (UK) lands: the importance of Dutch waterways of Leipzig Colin Watts – Chairman, Yacht Harbour for the marine leisure and tourism sector 19:00 Thanks and goodbye Association Ltd. (Netherlands) David Edwards-May – President of Inland 12:50 Boating in the land of 1000 lakes – Geert Dijks – Managing Director, HISWA- Waterways International From ponds to little oceans, the Berlin area RECRON Dutch Marine Industry Federation See you at WCC 2020 in Leipzig has developed since the fall of the wall to 17:00 A story of coal, steam and lakes IWI’s AGM and the Mayor’s Reception become one of Europe’s best cruising areas (Germany) take place in the Great Assembly Room (Germany) Elke Witt, Manager of World Heritage Region (Obere Wandelhalle), City Hall on 20 Dagmar Rockel – Boating journalist, Quick Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg (Germany) September 2020, before the start of the Maritim Medie 17:30 Closing speech: Introduction to the conference 13:15 Buffet lunch World CanalsINLAND Conference WATERWAYS2020 in Leipzig PAVILION – BOOT 2020 14:10 World Canals Conference 2020 (Germany) An overview of main topics Inland Waterways STAGE für alle zum Entdecken und Genießen 226 m The main Congress hall at the Leipzig Zoo venue for Inland Waterways 15.00mPavilion 2020 layout the World Canals Conference has capacity for 1000 Panels 4.50m Panels 4.50m Panels 4.50m Panels 6m Panels 4m 4.38 m aisle delegates. 5 Screen 00 1 2 3 4 WCC MAASPLASSEN/ MAREC LEIPZIG MAASPLASSEN DE VLAAMSE LES LES MAASGOUW NL MARINAS & WATERWEG CANALOUS PanelsCANALOUS 4.50m 2020 NL CAMPSITES BE FR DE BE 88 m ‘Lock 13’ Storage F73 LES CANALOUS Panel 1m (IWP) Reception 0 INLAND WATERWAYS D73 Galley 6 11.00m LOUNGE LOCABOAT Panels 7m Inside panels + corridor HOLIDAYS end panel to fund by IWI 10 9 8 4m aisle and non-exhibiting 11 FR sponsors, or leave blank Europe map (dark drape for calming WELTERBEREGION DANUBE FRENCH LINSSEN 7 eﬀect?) 15.50 m ANHALT-DESSAU- PROPELLER WATERWAYS BOATING LINSSEN BOATING F67 LOCABOAT WITTENBERG SERBIA TRANSMANCHE HOLIDAYS DE FR HOLIDAYS NL NL 4.38 m aisle LOCABOAT BOOT WINTO D60 KUHNLE D59/57 LE BOAT D61 LINSSEN F63 48 m 18 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020

LE BOAT LBH BOOT 128 m 48 m Panels 6m Panels 4.50m Panels 4.50m Panels 4.50m Panels 3.50m WORLD WATERWAY NEWS BELGIUM Unmanned vessels carry sand One of Decloedt’s 16 new De Vlaamse Waterweg n V. . has started testing 35 by 5m barges without an unmanned inland vessel transporting sand a wheelhouse, starting on the Ostend-Nieuwpoort-Diksmuide route, unmanned navigation using the Class II Plassendale-Nieuwpoort trials on the Ieper-IJzer and Ieper-IJzer canals . The pilot project uses Canal. The barge can load technology developed by Seafar to remotely 250 tonnes of sand, the control inland vessels from a control centre . equivalent of 12 trucks. The aim is to compensate for the shortage of The investment of inland navigation vessels on the smaller canals €10 million was financed in Flanders and thus offer a green, safe and 44% by an EU fund for the competitive alternative to road transport . The development of technology will be tested until October 2020 small canal barges. on a barge owned by the Decloedt company . Decloedt A skipper/operator steers the barge manually from the control centre, with both existing control platform . Remote-control tests have per minute . We look forward to an updated navigation aids and new technology . The vessel been performed from Beijing and Nanjing to version of David Wadham’s list of the world’s bears a purple cone with the point upwards . Wuhan over a distance greater than 2000 km . deepest locks and highest lifts . The LIDAR technology scans the area around the vessel, and cameras give a 360° view to Visit to Goupitan lifts in 2020 BRAZIL the skipper/operator in the control centre . Beijing Brazil waterways potential untapped

r e v i The maximum speed is 6km/h . Speakers and R A study published in 2019 by the Confederação

w o ll microphones are installed in different places Ye Nacional do Transporte has found that the on the barge so that the skipper/operator can country is wasting enormous potential for hear the sounds around it and communi- using its navigable rivers over its 12 hydro- Nanjing ze River cate through the speakers . Communication gt Three Gorges Dam graphic regions . Of the 63 000 km that could n a Chongqing Y

with the vessel is via VHF . De Vlaamse Shanghai be used today, only 19 500 km are effectively r

e i v Waterweg has issued common-sense recom- u R used for inland water transport and passenger W Goupitan Ship Lifts East China mendations to other users of the waterway : Sea ships . The study found that the main obstacles Percentage of time over 2240 years that each 0 500 km city has been the regional or state capital, in keep arelation good to the distance, two principal rivers stay and theon course and do to development are bureaucracy, excessive not performHangzhou-Beijing unexpected Grand Canal manœuvres . standards and a lack of single, more robust 10% (ca. 220 years) Another Decloedt barge is undertaking PIANC’s Working Group No . 207 on legislation . Measures adopted to promote the similar trials on the Sambre in Wallonia . Innovations in Shiplift Navigation Concepts modal shift to water have not borne fruit . will make a study visit in 2020 to the three-step CHINA Goupitan shiplifts bypassing a 232 m-high FRANCE ‘Navigation Brain System’ tested dam on the Wujiang River in southwest Act of Parliament for SNE to be signed A presentation on the ‘Navigation Brain System’ China’s Guizhou province . Splitting the lift The projet de loi (act of parliament) enshrining was given at the Smart Rivers Conference in into three separate steps offers greater traffic the funding and institutional framework for Lyon on October 2 by an engineer from the capacity . The middle step, 127 m high, is not as building the Seine-Nord Europe Canal is National Engineering Research Centre for high as the Three Gorges lift, but its insertion expected to be signed by President Emmanuel Water Transport Safety at Wuhan University in the steep-sided valley is spectacular . Barges Macron in January . This last formality of Technology . The research work is co-funded and passenger ships go through a 300m-long was delayed because of an appeal lodged by 24 organisations including universities in tunnel between this lift and the first step, 45m against the project by a green member of the Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal and the (maximum) down to the upstream reser- Assemblée Nationale . The appeal will have USA . An interface was developed in 2019 voir . Technical advances, particularly on the caused yet another, albeit small, delay in this with a 7 m-long scale model ship on the East braking system, have enabled the speed of rise project which has faced countless obstacles Lake in Wuhan with a moveable remote- and fall of the caisson to be increased to 8 m over the last 12 years .

Layout of the dam and ship lifts at Goupitan on the Wujiang river, a tributary of the Yangtze river in Guizhou province. The hydropwer plant will produce 3 GWh of electricity per year.

World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 19 WORLD WATERWAY NEWS

VNF’s bi-annual conference in Auxerre Container barge on the VNF’s bi-annual waterways conference is to be Twente Kanaal in the held in Auxerre, on the river Yonne (and Canal Netherlands du Nivernais), on February 5-6 . Previous events were held on high-capacity waterways and included accommodation on board CroisiEurope ships (in Strasbourg, Avignon and Bordeaux) . This is the first time the well- attended b2b conference is held on the smaller ‘Freycinet’ waterways . International guests invited by VNF to take part in the round tables on the development of waterway tourism include Scottish Canals’ CEO Catherine Topley and Director of Infrastructure Richard Millar, and delegates from the Milan canals, including city officials and Edo Bricchetti The photo by the Wasserstraßen-Neubauamt existing turning basins at Bornerbroek and representing the association Riaprire i Navigli . (WNA) shows the caisson loaded with sand- Deldenerbroek will be taken out of use and bags for initial dry testing in 2018 . The old landscaped as natural features . The municipal Works on Brittany Canal system lift will remain in service for 5 years, but its quay at Delden will be upgraded for loading Lock 42 (Évran) on the Canal d’Ille-et-Rance continued operation after that will only be and unloading class Va ships . has received new oak lock-gates . The works possible if a third party takes over and operates are part of the Brittany Region’s plan to the structure . The waterway authority says it UK install wooden lock-gates throughout the could not afford to allocate a staff of 5 to keep Volunteer waterway awards announced canal system, as originally designed . The the old lift open, despite its interest as the only In 2019, Canal & River Trust volunteers gave gates are made at a specialised workshop at remaining operating lift of that type . an extraordinary 670,000 hours of combined Saint-Germain-sur-Ille . It takes six weeks to time to the network – each and every minute produce one set of gates . NETHERLANDS of which helped make the canals a better place On the same canal, the towpath had to be Twente Canals upgraded by 2022 for all . To celebrate this contribution, the closed close to lock 47 at Léhon, close to the The Rijkswaterstaat has invited tenders for Marsh Christian Trust and the Canal & River end of the canal at Dinan . A risk of rockfall- substantial upgrading of the Twente Canals, Trust named the 2019 volunteers awards from from the cliff above the towpath required to be completed by 2022 . The works will allow across the Trust’s regions . urgent consolidation works, expected to be Class Va barges to operate through to the ports The awards cover a wide range of volun- completed in February 2020 . at Almelo, Hengelo and Enschede, and absorb teering contributions including some who the projected increase in traffic and limit have spent their spare time in the archives GERMANY truck movements on the roads in the eastern helping to catalogue important collections for Niederfinow Lift to open in 2020 Netherlands . The canals will be dredged to the National Waterways Museum and others The new Class Va ship lift at Niederfinow, allow carrying to a draught of 2 .80 m, and the who have got their hands dirty by widening intended to replace the old 1934 Class IV lift, sheet pile banks will be replaced by soft-edge, the navigation for boaters on the Trent . There 84m long, is expected to open in 2020, hope- environment-friendly banks . are some who have used their knowledge and fully in time for visits before or after the WCC The almost 90-year-old Twente canals (the skills to help restore complex paddle gear in Leipzig . ‘main line’ to Enschede and the branch to and others who inexhaustibly and cheerfully Almelo) are of great importance for the eastern maintain the 21-lock Wigan Flight on the Netherlands . The canals will also be widened Leeds & Liverpool Canal . to 55 m, one turning basin enlarged and a new Richard Parry, chief executive, empha- turning basin at the XL quay at Almelo . Two sised the increasingly important contribu- Region Award Location Award to North West Team Leeds & Liverpool Canal Team of nine Wigan Flight Wigan Flight of 21 locks lock-keepers Individual Trent & Mersey Canal Ted and Christine Thompson Anderton Boat Lift Yorkshire and Team Leeds & Liverpool Canal Saltaire & Shipley Taskforce North East Four-mile stretch Individual Leeds & Liverpool Canal Ian Kelshaw, leader of team of Sowerby Bridge volunteer lock keepers West Midlands Team Ellesmere Yard, Shropshire Pattern Casting Cataloguing Union Canal Team Individual Grand Union Canal Ralph Gaskin, lock-keeper, helmsman & CAATS assessor East Midlands Team River Trent, South Derbyshire Towpath Derwent Mouth Taskforce Individual River Trent Neil Page, lock-keeper Wales & South West Team Kennet and Avon Canal Paddle Gear Engineering Project Team Individual Gloucester & Sharpness Robin Jones, running and Canal controlling invasives London South East Team London canals Aidan’s Wonder Team Individual London canals Jennifer Martin

20 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 WORLD WATERWAY NEWS tion volunteers make to the network . ‘These The gates at Picketsfield Lock near Newbury tourism and infrastructure projects across the awards showcase the fantastic contribution retain the same paddle gearing, same fixings Highland and Lowland canals : 9078 housing that volunteers make, carrying out a vast and steel balance beam, so that the ‘look and units built and 8415 fte jobs and 9218 tempo- array of activities and tasks, bringing their feel’ will be familiar for the boater . rary construction jobs created since 2010 . wide and expanding range of skills and experi- The next phase of Scotland’s Marine Tourism ence, along with their enthusiasm, passion and Swing bridge ‘mobile’ app scheme halted Strategy will run from 2020-25 . Business sheer hard work . Our volunteers also demon- A pilot scheme to allow Sandfield Bridge on leaders, tourism experts and industry figures strate how our canals, rivers and towpaths can the Gloucester & Sharpness Ship Canal to be taking part in the event, heard from multiple deliver greater wellbeing, showcasing how opened via a mobile phone app has been halted partners, including Scottish Canals, on how they improve their own physical and mental after technical problems . The CRT unveiled increased vibrancy on and along the water health by spending time with us ’. plans in 2015 to convert 14 bridges on the creates jobs and attracts investment . canal, currently operated by bridge-keepers, Grantham Canal Lock 15 opened part-funded by the EU under the Numericanal USA The first boat passed through Lock 15 on the project . Following problems encountered in D&R Canal mid-point marker restored Grantham Canal last October after Waterways poor weather conditions, the app has not been Recovery Group volunteers had contrib- rolled out and the trust is currently reviewing uted 1855 days (nearly 13 000 hours) of work the project . The bridge in Saul can be opened towards its restoration . The Grantham Canal remotely via a PC by the bridge keeper at Society continues to strive for complete resto- Fretherne, 1 km away, and can still be opened ration of the canal . locally, but the mobile app technology, which would have allowed boaters to open the bridge Long-life lock gates for the K&A themselves, has not proved successful . Some The CRT is testing long-life lock-gates on users have claimed swans flying under the the Kennet & Avon Canal . The innovative bridge have affected the technology causing it new lock-gate design is intended to bring to malfunction . There was a ‘mixed reaction’ efficiencies and long-term environmental to it, according to the trust’s Rob Eaton . ‘The benefits . The new gates are an evolution of mechanical and supervision parts of the the composite gates made out of steel and bridge are now pretty reliable with the occa- timber that are used in some places on CRT’s sional niggling irritation, but the app less so . waterways . Made predominantly out of steel, It’s been affected by things beyond our control A 3 ft tall concrete obelisk with the number the new gates are intended to last at least twice such as weather conditions, wet screens and ‘22’ on two of its four sides was restored to as long as standard lock-gates, with an antici- wi-fi range being reduced by the weather . The the Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath on pated life span of over 50 years . The robustness technology uses laser detection to identify October 4, 2019 after a prolonged absence . It of the metal construction will reduce the need objects on the bridge or in the water next to it had been knocked off its base years ago and for repairs saving the CRT time and money to ensure it is safe for it to be opened . lay hidden in the floodplain under overgrown and reducing disruption for boaters . The gates grass, plants and poison ivy . It was recently were designed with sacrificial parts – sections Scottish study points to benefits spotted by a regular park user who reached out where the gates meet to be watertight . But by Scottish Canals has published the results of to the D&R Canal Commission and advocated being sacrificial they can be easily removed an economic study by Peter Brett Associates for its retrieval . Thanks to this local resident, and replaced without draining the canal or showing an extraordinary £1 53. billion of this historic piece of the D&R Canal State Park removing the gates, bringing environmental investment in the canal corridors across has been returned to its rightful place on the benefits by reducing the need to mobilise heavy Scotland since the reopening of the Lowland towpath . The main traffic section of the canal plant and materials at often remote locations . inland waterways in 2002 . The investments on from the Delaware River at Bordentown to and around the canal banks have contributed the Raritan River at New Brunswick runs a to the creation of thousands of new houses total of 44 miles, with mileage markers placed and jobs . These results, announced at a Marine along the path from which mule teams towed Tourism symposium held at the Scottish canal boats . Like the monuments themselves, Parliament, show that the revitalisation of the system had a simple elegance: the facing Scotland’s canals has attracted a multi-million number represented the mileage beyond to pound investment windfall in regeneration, the end destination . 

 Fitting the new composite lock-gates at Picketsfield Lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal

Sandfield swing bridge on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, no longer controlled by mobile app because of swans flying under the bridge ? 

World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 21 IRELAND IWAI celebrates Ireland’s canals

Catriona Hilliard, Vice Chairperson of town charter in 2020 . IWAI Offaly IWAI Offaly and a long time official with has commitments from both the Offaly County Council in various roles, Offaly Historical Society and the expands on the stories of canal celebra- annual Canal Quarter festival to tions in Ireland that were the subject of an theme some of their events on the address she gave to members at our AGM Grand Canal . The project also notes in London. various Tullamore Dew anniversa- ries . With that international perspec- he 1st January 2020 was the 60th tive, the project made contact with the Finow Taoiseach hints at Ulster Canal value anniversary of closure of the Grand Canal Kanal in Germany, also celebrating its 400th Canal enthusiasts on both sides of the border T to commercial traffic . IWAI and IWAI anniversary this year . After discussion with were delighted when the Taoiseach Leo Dublin took a small flotilla from the Grand Unser Finowkanal, IWAI Offaly are developing Varadkar stated in an interview on December Canal up to Heuston Station via the Liffey to a proposal to present locally to powers that be 23 that he felt the Ulster Canal could be a more mark this with a few words, photos, a basket to assist project momentum . valuable infrastructure project for the island of of Grand Canal ‘offerings’, and a ‘mixing of Ireland than UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s the waters’ – from Terryglass (Lough Derg), Canals surveyed by ‘Nav-Watch’ project for a bridge from Northern Ireland to the Shannon & Barrow rivers, and the Grand Born in late 2018 from several years of Scotland . President Michael D . Higgins, who and Royal Canals - to acknowledge waterways concerns regarding navigability of the Grand addressed our WCC in Athlone with a vibrant connections and meanings to many people . and Royal Canals and River Barrow, IWAI speech, must have had some words in the The trip was a hoot - see IWAI Facebook live Nav-Watch has member representatives Taoiseach’s ear ! videos from New Years Day . from the Canals and Barrow branches of IWAI . Work includes a technical online survey tool Winter warblers Big Cruise on the ‘Green and Silver’ with over 280 issues logged since the Spring Finally, welcome to the ‘Winter Warblers’, Marking the closure date was to indicate 2019 launch; a weed identification workshop; gatherings of boaters and supporters at public the Grand Canal is still very much open for a range of meetings across the IWAI, and a harbours on the Shannon over 7-9 February business, leisure, pleasure and amenity use . meeting with senior WI staff . The project is where electricity and water are cut off . IWAI Dublin has developed the 2020bc (Big producing a report to contribute constructively Concerned at the arbitrary nature of termina- Cruise) – a calendar of community events to 2020 Waterways Ireland maintenance work tion of these services, the events’ organisers around the ‘Green And Silver’– the Royal Canal, and needs for increased budgets and resources . aim to draw attention in a positive way to the Camlin River, Shannon River, Grand Canal benefits of winter waterways use .  C. Hilliard and River Liffey, as well as the River Barrow – Royal Canal groups activities to promote the route, work with communities The Royal Canal Amenity Group’s Scottish  Boats assemble on the Liffey in Dublin to launch the who are not boaters, and highlight the domestic trip last September was a great success and its 2020bc on the canal ‘triangle’, with Heuston Station and (and hopefully overseas) value of waterways- public winter walks have been very popular . Sean Heuston bridge in the background. based time and money spend . IWAI Dublin The annual Rowan Hamilton Day, on 16 © Damien Maddock, IWAI Dublin launched the events on 1st January and request October, was the 176th anniversary of his  The notice of closure of the Grand Canal to vessel registrations at https://www.iwai.ie/ discovery of quarternion equation (which he commercial traffic, exactly 60 years before our AGM. dublin/2020bc/. scratched into the Broom Bridge on the Royal Canal) . It was organised by the Tullamore 400 Maths Department of Maynooth While the Big Cruise is national, locally IWAI University, with a plaque unveiled Offaly are working with Tullamore, the county by Minister for Finance Paschal town, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of its O’Donoghue, T .D .

22 / World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 USA Erie Canal reimagined… with $300 million fund

The long-awaited plan for ‘reimagining’ Projects selected the Erie Canal was launched on January 6, through the just before we went to press. The plan is Reimagine the partly the result of a competition with Canals Competition, the same name launched at the World including a pocket Canals Conference in Syracuse, 2017. Some neighborhood along competition ideas have been taken up by the Old Erie Canal in New York Power Authority. Canastota, are part of the first phase of ew York Governor Andrew Cuomo investments. has unveiled a major program for NYPA N economic development of the Erie Canal, following the recommendations of the Reimagine the Canals Task Force, launched in May 2019 . Their brief was to investigate how the 195-year-old Erie Canal could be reimag- of the waterway into the future ’ . Lieutenant $25 million of that will be allocated immedi- ined for the 21st century . Governor Kathy Hochul was confident that the ately to a set of initial projects: Funding of $300 million is promised to canal can unlock even more potential to make Connecting Communities: The Brockport implement the program, with a first phase it a major tourism magnet . ‘The canals have Loop project in Monroe County will connect for $165 million to start this year . The objec- played a crucial role in New York’s history and SUNY College at Brockport to the Empire State tives assigned to the program are primarily growth, and with the implementation of these Trail through transformation of a canal guard- to ‘create recreational activities on the canal new exciting projects, the canals will remain a gate into a pedestrian bridge and overlook (see to boost tourism’, with a series of additional vital force and make a positive contribution to rendering p . 3) . benefits to provide more value through the the economic well-being and quality of life in Celebrating Iconic Infrastructure: Inter- canal’s real or potential additional functions : the 225 communities they travel through ’. active, hydro-powered illumination of (a) reduced flooding in canal communities, movable dams in the Mohawk River valley will (b) improved irrigation for upstate farmers, Economic development fund celebrate the Canal’s heritage and its history as (c) expanded fishing opportunities and (d) The first phase of funding from 2020 will have an engineering marvel . restoring wetlands . two parts: a $100 million economic develop- Expanding Water Recreation: A new white- ment fund to invest in communities along the water course will be developed at the north end Recommendations by task force Canal, and a separate $65 million investment of Cayuga Lake near Seneca Falls, building on The Governor has invited the board of the in solutions to reduce ice jams and related existing water control infrastructure . New York Power Authority, which now flooding in the Schenectady area . Adapting Industrial Property for New Uses: oversees the Canal Corporation, to approve The remaining $135 million of the plan’s A canal-side pocket neighborhood will be devel- the $300 million investment over the next five funding will subsequently be allocated to oped by Madison County in Central New York years . research recommended by the Reimagine at a former industrial property in Canastota ‘When the Erie Canal was created in the 19th Task Force, as well as to solutions related to along the Old Erie Canal - demonstrating a new century it set the state and the nation on a path flood mitigation, invasive species control and model for 21st century canal-side living . to prosperity, and this year we will repurpose ecosystem restoration . Developing Destination Accommodation: the canal to fit our state’s 21st century needs,’ The $100 million economic development fund The historic Guy Park Manor, on the Mohawk Governor Cuomo said . ‘This bold and visionary will support projects that adaptively re-use River in Amsterdam, will be reborn as a hospi- plan to transform this historic waterway canal infrastructure to enhance recreation, tie tality destination and a pedestrian bridge will build on the success of the Empire State the Canal’s new recreational improvements to constructed across the lock and movable dam Trail, grow tourism across Upstate New York, the Governor’s Empire State Trail, celebrate will provide access to overnight accommoda- improve resilience of today’s Canal communi- historic canal structures, and develop unique tion along the Empire State Trail . ties and ensure the economic sustainability canal-side attractions and activities . Roughly Strengthen Canal Communities: to help mitigate chronic summer and winter flooding in the Mohawk River Valley, $65 million will There is virtually no mention be used to deploy an icebreaker and undertake in the report of long-distance dredging and filling in certain portions of the navigation. The strong focus on Mohawk to reduce ice jam formation . the Empire State Trail – and on other functions such as flood The Task Force recommended further studies mitigation – overlooks the of different approaches to reduce flooding significance of long-distance on the Mohawk and limit the introduction of operations, whether in commer- aquatic invasive species through the canal . At cial or private craft. Here Blount’s this stage we can only guess what these ‘addi- Grande Mariner shares German tional approaches’ may imply, but some stake- Flatts Lock #E18 near Herkimen, holders have expressed concerns that naviga- NY, with Lil’ Diamond II run by tion on New York’s iconic Erie Canal may be Erie Canal Cruises. DEH limited or terminated . Watch this space !  World Wide Waterways No 33 • January 2020 / 23

1 2 Grand Canal panorama The 9-volume, 11-tome Gazetteer of the Canals of China 1 was proudly presented to delegates at the World Canals Conference and 11th World Canal Cities Forum in Yangzhou on September 27. A 5-minute video gave a visually stunning introduction to the Grand Canal in all its aspects. Many older sections of canal, bypassed in the

9 1970s and 1980s, are now mainly used by passenger boats, as here at Wumen Bridge on 3 the historic canal ring around Suzhou 2 . David Edwards-May was interviewed by Phoenix Media Group on the banks of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou on September 18 3 . A double page from the new publication features an intriguing water wheel 4 . Another view of tourist boats from Wumen bridge in Suzhou 5 . The Gongchen Bridge in Hangzhou is dwarfed by the city in this aerial view, but was massive when built centuries ago 6 . The whole area has become much greener since a major depollu- tion effort was completed, and an active crafts 4 museum close to the bridge has become very popular. The Huaiyin Locks just west of Huai’an precede one of the Grand Canal’s busy junc- tions (foreground) 7 . The pre-conference tour by IWI members started at Sanbao Locks, where the Grand Canal reaches the Qiantang River in Hangzhou 8 . A maquette in the Grand Canal Museum in Huai’an shows the construction of an embankment, evoking the labour of the armies of workers commandeered by successive emperors to build and maintain the canal 9 . Download from IWI’s site http://tiny.cc/6zq8ez 5 tills from the hoenix edia video except dem 8 S P M , 8, 9,

7 6