Resilience in inland shipping: a network analysis of the Rhine-Alpine Corridor under global disruptions

There is a limited understanding of how port-hinterland connections via inland shipping respond to major disruptions. This study investigates how containerized inland waterway transport in the Rhine-Alpine Corridor adapted after global disruptions between 2007 and 2022. Employing panel data modelling and network analysis, the paper examines regional transport hubs and reveals how their connections responded to events such as the financial crisis, critically low water levels, and geopolitical instability. The results provide insights into the vulnerability of cargo flows during disruptive years, along with distinct shifts in network connectivity following each event. The assessment reports the degree of robustness and redundancy across the corridor, offering practical guidance to support the development of regional responses to future disruptions.