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Autonomous shipping is introduced to increase the competitiveness of inland shipping and promote a modal shift toward sustainable transport. This innovation has the potential to disrupt the existing inland shipping industry paradigm. This paper identifies the characteristics of autonomous inland shipping through the lens of the diffusion of innovation theory. A systematic literature review, based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines methodology, was conducted. The existing literature aligns well with the theory and reveals most of the innovation variables and relevant actors. The result indicates that the literature on this topic is limited but still developing, and the paper presents opportunities for agendas in business, innovation, and transportation research. Further discussion shows industry implications, using a generalized transport cost model and stakeholder analysis to emphasize the motivations for sustainable transport through the adoption of autonomous shipping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geographical conditions of Colombia limit connectivity among regions, making communication between different areas of the country difficult. Although Colombia has a major waterway system that could facilitate regional communication, much of the territory is functionally disjointed, which is why the government and private operators seek to promote inland waterway transport and improve their safety. In the field of provision of waterway transport in inaccessible regions, this paper analyses the influence that perceptions of safety and comfort of the service have on the choice of river transport by passengers using hybrid choice models incorporating latent variables. The results of the hybrid choice model indicate that older workers attach less importance to the hull condition and safety; in turn, comfort is more valued by young workers and by those users who have a higher educational level. Variables such as the hull condition and how the boat is operated have a significant effect on the user perception of safety. Similarly, the results suggest that expanding the space between seats and developing strategies to improve the behaviour of other users significantly increase the perceived comfort of the service provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industries and ports services may represent - by attracting domestic and foreign investments, by creating jobs at local level - a catalyst for related activities of goods and services production. As a binder between national and external business area, Ports sector can contribute, through a multiplier effect, to support the economic development of the country. After analyzing the main statistical indicators for Ports activities in Romania, we concluded that there were some unfavourable developments, enhanced by global and financial crisis. The solution to stop these adverse developments could be a domestic or foreign capital infusion, in order to improve the efficiency of Ports activity, to meet the future challenges that European ports might face by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]