For this a study is done assessing the various types of inland and shortsea waterways. An example is a route from Scandinavia to Duisburg. Having insight in these routes and their specific navigational characteristics, three categories of general requirements have been investigated: logistic requirements, technical requirements based on rules and regulations and manning requirements.

With this knowledge the first phase of conceptual ship design has started, which will be continued in the next period with an initial focus on Class II en V RORO/LOLO vessels.  These designs will be used in the NOVIMAR “Antwerp Case”. This case was identified as it represents a major container port in Europe that is very well connected to the Inland Waterway Transport network and to shortsea routes.