Source: ASEAN Transport Strategic Plan 2011-2015 – Midterm Report, ERIA and Nippon Koei 2010
10. For inland waterways transport, which has large potential in reducing freight transport costs, the current utilisation rate within ASEAN is still very low. The ASEAN region is generously endowed with some 51,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways which can play an active role in transport development, especially in the CLMV countries and Thailand. The infrastructure issues related to this low utilisation are the underdeveloped waterways network, poor river ports and facilities, and poor intermodal connectivity. Considering the advantage for connectivity in economic activities, these infrastructure issues need to be addressed, together with improving rules and governance for managing the connected inland waterways transport systems.
11. Maritime Transport. ASEAN has designated 47 ports as the main ports in the trans- ASEAN transport network as shown in Appendix 2.1. There are a number of challenges faced by the designated ports in providing a more efficient shipping network services given the varying levels of port infrastructure development. For example, the handling of cargo depends on the capacity of ship calling at the ports, cargo handling capacity, land transport and logistics capacity, and customs and administrative clearance procedures.