Best practices in managing inland ports in Europe

Inland ports in Europe, having undergone transformation for several decades, have become multifunctional economic spaces. Currently, these are not only transport nodes in land-water traditional transport chains but today also supply the locations of intermodal terminals, distribution centers, service and production companies, or technology parks. Multifunctional inland ports also form part of the economic systems of cities and regions, contributing to their development. The aim of this article is to present the best practices in managing inland ports in Europe. In the article, using the results of research on inland waterway transport, it is pointed out what practices in managing inland ports have led, in many cases, to their increased importance in both multi-branch transport systems and the economic development of cities and regions. The study used literature on the subject, specific information on selected European inland ports, and development strategies for selected regions in Europe, including inland waterway transport. On the basis of the above, best practices leading to the long-term development of inland ports and maximizing the added value arising in their areas were determined.