Barges play a vital role in moving coal & iron ore from deep-water ports to inland steel mills & power plants across Europe's major river networks. Barge operators are now investing in electric propulsion, hydrogen fuel cells, biofuels & engine efficiency upgrades to cut emissions. Liquefied natural gas can reduce CO₂ by up to twenty-five percent, while a full shift to zero-emission vessels is the long-term goal. The European Union targets a doubling of inland waterway freight by 2050 using clean vessels.