River Information Services (RIS) as a tool to improve Poland’s position in the European logistic system

Purpose: The aim of the article is to indicate that modern inland navigation using the RIS system can contribute to the improvement of Poland's logistic attractiveness measured on the basis of the LPI logistics performance index. LPI index was created by the World Bank, and is a synthetic measure of the logistic efficiency of economies, how the TSL (transport-freight forwarding-logistics) industry influences the economy of individual regions.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The following methods were used in the study: literature analysis, descriptive statistics and taxonomic analysis.

Findings: Investments in inland waterways and river information systems RIS can further improve this assessment. IWT is the missing mode, which would supplement the infrastructure deficits, especially in metropolitan areas where no further expansion of roads or railways is possible due to the lack of land (e.g. in the Tricity agglomeration).

Practical Implications: The use of inland shipping for the transport of goods between the main industrial centres of the country would reduce transport costs, including external costs, and would contribute to the achievement of the transport objectives of the European Union.

Originality/Value: The study contributes to the discussion on the role of inland shipping in Poland and European Union. The article dicusses the potential of inland shipping for transport system measured with the use of the LPI logistics performance index created by the World Bank.