When ports are located at the mouth of a river, upstream a river or linked to canals or lakes, inland waterway transport might offer a variety of environmental and economical benefits. Such transport might reduce pressure on the road system, safety advantages  and reduced noise and emissions. The potential might vary significantly from situation to situation. Careful analyses can identify bottlenecks. Options to promote inland shipping are providing sufficient berthing space and facilities for inland barges, ensure the waterway system is in proper condition and provide stakeholders information to help considering integration of inland waterway transport in their supply chains. Short sea shipping can provide similar advantages in some cases.