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who is the Promotion Office for Inland Navigation in Flanders ?The BoardAs the policy-making body of PBV, the Board of Directors is in charge of general strategy, financial management, and the content part of all activities. The Board is meeting every month. Since the establishment of the association in 1992, public authorities and private interests are equally represented in the Board of Directors. Member associations
Internal organisationSeveral project groups are at work within PBV. Some of them are permanent working groups, such as these on prospecting markets or communication. Others are only temporary, such as these on telematics and professional training. Activities of PBV can be split up in several domains: Policy support:Provides input for the Flemish government when defining sectoral policies for inland navigation. For this, PBV uses its own research as well as information from intensive contacts with stakeholders. Networking with shipping companies, skippers, logistic service providers, waterway managers and private companies allows PBV to feed the Flemish government with grassroots expectations.
Prospecting markets:Active approach of logistic managers and support of private companies in choosing inland navigation. PBV keeps intensive contacts with a great variety of traffic managers and logistic operators. Our markets prospecting staff offers practical information and helps to think along the same lines about modal shifting from the road to inland navigation.
Telematics:Support and stimulation of the use of Informatics and Communication Technology (ICT) in inland shipping. Specific ICT needs do exist on the water. PBV has set up pilot projects; organizes surveys and research studies; motivates telecom operators to offer tailor-made solutions; and is lobbying for tariff reductions. River Information Services (RIS) are a particular point of interest.
Professional training and jobs:PBV strongly focuses on professional training and job promotion, in order to safeguard professional inflow in the future. With the establishment of a ‘Platform for Professional Training Providers’, PBV received a leading role in the framework of Flanders Inland Shipping Network (FISN). For this, PBV is in close contact with several target groups and schools. For the future of inland shipping would be compromised, if no fresh blood would find its way towards our profession.
European projects:Inland navigation is an outstanding example of a sector which is both international and cross-border. By launching research- and demonstration projects, by subsidizing policies, and by promoting a modal shift in goods transport, the European Commission is an important player in the promotion of inland navigation. PBV is actively involved in several of these European programmes.
Communication:PBV core business requires a strong communication policy, targeted at both the media and specific groups. Our association is strongly present, both with text and pictures, in the written press and in the electronic and new media. PBV publishes its own Magazine as well as a variety of brochures and flyers. We are also strongly communicating through several websites (in particular www.binnenvaart.be).
Shortsea shipping:Combined with shortsea shipping, every inland navigation barge can reach every single industrial centre or population cluster in Europe. As a consequence, the promotion by our sister association of shortsea shipping creates a strong synergy for inland navigation. Against the background of the relative importance of SSS in total maritime traffic, shortsea shipping is also of the utmost importance for our seaports.
Recreation:It is one of the core activities of PBV to promote active and passive recreation on and along the inland waterways. The fact that one of our staff has a full occupation with promoting recreation, is a clear proof of how important this is for PBV. Our association is also manning the various secretariats of the ‘Consultation Platform for Water Recreation, -sports and –tourism’. A permanent working group on recreation is also active within PBV. The management teamDaily operations in our association are carried out by the management team, with a staff of nine. We have two offices, at Hasselt and Antwerp. Hasselt office
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