An Integrated Set of Indicators for Assessment of Inland Waterway Transportation Performance

Ever-growing supply chains and the corresponding demand for efficiency and reliability necessitate improved performance and measurement standards. Enhanced competitiveness is the unifying element within every industry and drives improved performance and a demand for high-quality services. New methods and tools for measurement of the performance of inland waterway navigation are therefore needed. The real challenge is to develop internationally applicable performance indicators (PIs) to ensure correct decision making and improved competitiveness. Therefore, it is essential to consider the related processes, the stakeholders being addressed, and the scope of the underlying system. The purpose of the present work is to reveal that PIs are more than just measurements of performance. There is a need for a commonly accepted approach that supports the development of a consistent PI system within the inland waterway industry.