State investment to passenger and industrial shipping in the rivers may not pay dividends
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Lithuania does not exploit the full potential of inland waterways, identified the National Audit Office having evaluated the development of inland waterways and their infrastructure in Lithuania. The audit revealed that due to lacking systematic approach towards this type of transport, public institutions lag behind making strategic decisions on long-term development directions in this branch. Therefore passenger and industrial shipping does not take place in Lithuanian rivers, while State investment to upkeeping the waterways in rivers does not render the expected return. In 2005-2008 alone almost LTL 76 million was used for river ways. Currently 98 per cent of all the waterways passengers and 85 per cent of cargo in Lithuania are transferred from Klaipėda to Neringa via the Smiltynė Ferry Terminal. |
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According to Rasa Budbergytė, head of the NAO, the fact that less than 1
per cent of the cargo is transferred via inland waters shows that State
investment into the development of inland waterways still do not give
the expected effect. "Failing to set national long-term development
priorities, which would give clarity and allow to attract private
investors, as well as encourage development of tourism and creation of
new jobs, the real threat arises that passenger and industrial shipping
in rivers will not basically occur, and the State investment will not
pay dividends," said the Auditor General.
The audit detected that Inland Waterway Sector Development Strategy, as
well as Development Programme of National Inland Water Transport (until
2025) are not yet drawn up. Without these documents, which have to set
long-term priorities, it is not clear which river ways will be developed,
what will be their depth, where quays for industrial and passenger ships,
petrol stations and other infrastructure will be built. The
infrastructure is needed to fully integrate river ways with other types
of transport, as well as to join the European river ways system. Not
being able to forecast passenger and cargo flows, the private sector
does not invest into the development of the fleet and infrastructure,
limiting the investment to only recreational shipping.
In Lithuania there is no financing system for inland waterways; charges
or other ways of payment for using the inland waterways are not
established. Therefore over 99 per cent of inland waterways development
and maintenance works are financed from the State Budget and European
Union funds.
The National Audit Office recommended the Government to approve
strategic documents defining the long-term development of inland
waterways and to appoint institutions responsible for their
implementation.
Full report is available in Lithuanian:
Evaluation of Operation and Maintenance of Inland Waterways