Why does inland water transport carry only a small share of Poland’s total freight?

Inland water transport accounts for less than 1 percent of Poland’s total freight, a figure that reflects the limited importance of river navigation in the country's economy.1

Several factors contribute to this small share:

• Navigational Hazards: The Vistula, Poland’s largest river, contains numerous navigational hazards that restrict its traffic and utility as a transport link.12
• Hydrological Limitations: The Oder River faces its own challenges, including a limited flow volume and a mean water depth of only three feet. Additionally, the river experiences ice cover for up to 40 days per year, which disrupts consistent transport.3
• Infrastructure Competition: The Polish economy relies heavily on overburdened railway and highway systems to link industrial regions with major seaports. While the Gliwice Canal and other waterways provide connections for bulk materials, they serve as a supplement to these primary land-based transport networks rather than a dominant alternative.31