Commercial importance of inland waterways examples from the world and review of Turkey

When we look at the methods used for transportation in the world, the first transportation models that come to mind are highway, seaway, airway and railways. However, another model that has never been emphasized and is becoming increasingly important is transportation on the inland waterways. In many countries, particularly in the USA, China, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Russia, large-volume trade is carried out on inland waterways and important investment decisions are made for the expansion and improvement of these roads. Although inland waterway transportation, which is the most efficient transportation model economically, attracts attention in the world, it doesn't draw necessary interest in Turkey that is rich in terms of rivers. This study examines the important rivers and canals in the world in terms of physical and economic aspects and aims to reveal the current situation in the regions or countries where the most intense commercial traffic is experienced in the inland waterways in the light of statistical data. Again, from this point forth, physical properties of major rivers in the geography of Turkey will be mentioned, the present attempts for opening to traffic from past to today will be discussed and the study will be completed with the evaluation of potential benefits and losses of Canal Istanbul Project that is on the country's agenda.