Who we are
IWI is an international organisation that brings together people and organisations who support the conservation, use and development of worldwide inland waterways. Members represent 26 countries from around the world and all have a keen interest in the history and modern-day significance of inland waterways for commercial and recreational use. Scroll down to see a list of our member organisations with links to their websites.
What we do
IWI raises public awareness of the benefits of the use and development of inland waterways for a wide range of activities, spanning water transport, cruising, walking, cycling and other recreational uses. IWI’s interests also include restoring disused waterways and appreciating and celebrating the landscape of global inland waterways, as well as their architectural heritage. We use our membership’s expertise to develop and contribute to both policy and practice.
Our membership includes leading navigation authorities, public agencies with an interest in canals and inland waterways, canal cities, museums and commercial companies (large and small), as well as voluntary bodies and individuals. Individual members include both users and experts in various relevant disciplines.
IWI selects the host city and supports the annual World Canals Conference.
We produce a traditional hard copy magazine twice a year, supplemented by e-newsletters, and arrange events for our members to network and share knowledge. Our membership page is here.
IWI has been involved in a wide range of successful projects since it was set up, often in collaboration with other organisations.
History
In 1992 the International Committee of the UK’s Inland Waterways Association (IWA), started the process of an amicable separation. Ron Oakley, chairman of the International Committee at that time, formed a steering committee with other IWA members and drew up a constitution. The International Association for Inland Waterways was registered as a UK non-profit private company limited by guarantee in July 1994. Its five purposes were defined as:
- Promoting cooperation and understanding between groups and individuals with an interest in navigable waterways throughout the world;
- To encourage the appreciation of canals and rivers as a source of commercial transport, pleasure boating, industrial archeology, angling, walking, and the study and appreciation of nature;
- To promote the prevention of the wanton destruction of waterways worldwide and the heritage of ancient structures connected with them;
- To help those who seek to restore derelict navigations to active use;
- To reconcile, where there appears to be a conflict of interest, the requirements of the various groups, in the belief that all needs can, with understanding and tolerance, be served side by side.
The steering committee was replaced by a Council of 20 international members at the first AGM, held in Birmingham in 1996 at the World Canals Conference (the first to be held in Europe). There were 500 delegates from nine countries at that WCC, which coincided with IWA’s 50th anniversary.
On 14 August 1997, the company changed its name to Inland Waterways International.
Support for canal projects
From the outset, IWI was active in raising support to prevent canals from being lost without hope of restoration. Examples include the Lichfield Canal (UK), which was given a ‘high-and-dry’ aqueduct over the M6 toll motorway, as well as the Roubaix Canal (France). Other projects supported by IWI are the Seine-Nord Europe Canal (France) and the Danube-Oder-Elbe water corridor (Czech Republic). There have also been campaigns against harmful reductions in the level of service on waterways in several countries (e.g. France, Belgium, Canada, USA).
Many other projects are supported through collective or individual lobbying and features in IWI’s magazine, such as development of tourism on the canals of Vode Vojvodine in Serbia, restoration of the navigli in the city centre of Milan and the completion of missing links on the waterways of Europe and the rest of the world.
Raising awareness of the heritage importance of canals
IWI’s role in promoting the importance of inland waterway heritage was evident from the start. In May 1998 the Canaux 98 conference was organised in Toulouse, France, to celebrate the Canal du Midi being the first canal to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then, other canals have acquired UNESCO World Heritage status: the Canal du Centre boat lifts in Belgium in 1998, the Rideau Canal in Canada in 2007, the Llangollen Canal and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in 2009 and the Grand Canal of China in 2014. These canals have hosted the World Canals Conference to showcase their important heritage.
Campaign in the European Parliament
In October 2004 IWI partnered with the European Boating Association, the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and DBA The Barge Association, to produce an exhibition and conference at the European Parliament Building in Brussels. The theme was ‘From Limerick to Kiev: waterways for tomorrow’s Europe’. Links with the EU remain with MEP attendance at our Day of Canals event at BOOT Düsseldorf (see below).
Responsibility for WCC
1988 saw the first USA and Canada National Conference of Historic Canals. In 1996 the conference was held for the first time in Europe and the name changed to World Canals Conference. The events have proven to be a valuable font of knowledge and learning, highlighting experiences that are applicable in different parts of the world.
At the suggestion of the WCC Steering Committee, the annual conference was brought under the umbrella of IWI in 2008 (at the WCC held in Kingston, Ontario).
Outreach and promotion
For several years, starting in 2016, we were present at the world’s biggest boat show in Düsseldorf. Our presence expanded to become an expansive Inland Waterways Pavilion in 2019 and 2020, with a dozen co-exhibitors, and a one-day canal conference – the ‘Day of the Canals’. After the interruption caused by Covid, it is hoped to reactivate this presence in the future, as a one-stop ‘waterway hub’.
Waterway development and climate change
IWI recently expanded its activities to encompass the environmental challenges of maintaining and developing canal and river navigations, faced with the risks of climate change, and making inland navigation greener.
In 2019 IWI became a sister association of PIANC (the international association for waterborne transport infrastructure, founded in 1885), and joined its ‘Navigating a Changing Climate’ Coalition, to represent inland waterway interests.
IWI took part in the EU-funded project Green WIN (for greener pumping to supply canals), contributing to outreach and dissemination of the project’s output. Its Low-Impact Navigation Working Group is also promoting greener boat manufacturing and disposal practices along with the transition to cleaner power.
IWI has produced jointly with PIANC two reports on inland waterways, one focusing on the values of smaller canals abandoned by commercial transport, the other on guidelines for infrastructure to facilitate tourism.
In March 2023, the Council approved a Climate Change Policy Statement.
Help our work
All members’ contributions are valuable. Action in favour of local waterways may be reported through IWI to other waterway players worldwide, giving cohesion to our worldwide network of shared convictions and interests.
Could you volunteer? From minute-taking to strategic planning, from treasurer to local reporter, we rely on members volunteering their time.
For those who prefer to support us without physically committing themselves, the possibility of donating a sum in addition to the membership subscription is offered in the shop.
Who’s who
President
Sharon Leighton – USA
Vice-president
Paul Ayres – UK
Past President
Rudy Van der Ween – Belgium (retired from Council)
Secretary
Di Harris – UK
Finance Officer
Norman Smith – France
Managing Editor/Acting Membership Secretary
David Edwards-May – France
Council Members
Dave Ballinger – Canada
Linda Barth – USA
Colin Becker – Ireland
Edo Bricchetti – Italy
Mike Clarke – UK
Bill Miles – USA
Krsta Paskovic – Serbia
Benny Ruus – Sweden
Barbara Sheridan – USA
David Wadham – UK
Angela Zabojnik – Germany
Ex Officio
Huijun Wang, WCCO, China
Liaison World Canals Conference & World Canal Cities Organisation
Duncan Hay – USA
Low Impact Navigation Working Group
Simon Boyde (UK)
View page on Low Impact Navigation
Presidents Emeritus
IWI recognises the invaluable contributions made by all our previous Presidents and is delighted to acknowledge their leadership and commitment with the title of Emeritus President.
Rudy Van der Ween (Belgium) 2020 – 2023
David Edwards-May (France) 2016 – 2020
Dave Ballinger (Canada) 2008 – 2016
† Tom Grasso (US) 2003 – 2008 (d 2022)
† Des Leyden (Ireland) 1999 – 2003 (d 2017)
David Stevenson 1977 – 1999
† Ron Oakley (UK) 1994 – 1997 (d 2004)
Who are our member organisations?
Member organisations belong to seven categories:
– International organisations (partners)
– Waterway authorities/managers
– Tourism or commercial operators
– Academic institutions
– Cities/regions promoting and developing their waterways
– Associations, trusts, foundations
– Related businesses, consultancies, publishers
Search our current members by name, by category or by country in the following table.
| Name | Location | Country | Website | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance des Rhodaniens | Lyon | France | Alliance des Rhodaniens | association |
| American Canal Society | Port Byron, NY | USA | American Canal Society | association |
| Aqueduct Marina Church Minshull | Nantwich | UK | Aqueduct Marina Church Minshull | operator |
| Assn pour le Développement du Tourisme Fluvial | Eschau | France | Assn pour le Développement du Tourisme Fluvial | association |
| Association of Finnish Waterways | Helsinki | Finland | Finnish Waterways Association | association |
| Australian Canal Society | Haberfield, NSW | Australia | Australian Canal Society | association |
| Backwaters Cruising Ltd | Postling | UK | Backwaters Tours | operator |
| Bergmann (Colliers Engineering) | Rochester, NY | USA | Colliers Engineering | business |
| Braunston Marina Ltd | Braunston | UK | Braunston Marina | operator |
| Bydgoszcz City Council | Bydgoszcz | Poland | Bydgoszcz | city/region |
| Canal & River Trust | Milton Keynes | UK | Canal and River Trust | authority |
| Centro Internazionale Civiltà dell'Acqua | Scorzè (VE) | Italy | Centro Internazionale Civiltà dell'Acqua | association |
| Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Association | Rockville, MD | USA | Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Assn | association |
| Cruising Association (The) | London | UK | The Cruising Association | association |
| DBA The Barge Association | Maidenhead | UK | DBA The Barge Association | association |
| Deep Dive Ltd | Shenzen CN20 | China | Deep Dive Ltd | business |
| Delaware & Hudson Transportation Heritage Council | Unionville, NY | USA | Delaware & Hudson Transportation Heritage Corridor | association |
| De Vloot Yachting | Aalst | Belgium | De Vloot Yachting | operator |
| Editions du Breil | Castelnaudary | France | Editions du Breil | business |
| Edwardsmay.eu | Grenoble | France | EdwardsMay.eu | business |
| Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor | Waterford, NY | USA | Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor | city/region |
| Finnish Passenger Ship Association | Helsinki | Finland | Finnish Passenger Ship Assn | operator |
| Garonne Agenda 2029 | Lignan de Bordeaux | France | Garonne Agenda 2029 | association |
| Göta Kanalbolag AB | Motala | Sweden | Göta Kanalbolag AB | authority |
| HISWA REC Holland Marine Industry | Amsterdam | Netherlands | HISWA REC Holland Marine Industry | operator |
| Hobbs of Henley | Henley | UK | Hobbs of Henley | operator |
| Inland Waterways Association | Chesham | UK | Inland Waterways Association | association |
| Inland Waterways Association of Ireland | Galway | Ireland | Inland Waterways Assn of Ireland | association |
| Jachthaven Wetterwille | Loosdrecht | Netherlands | Jachthaven Wetterwille | operator |
| Jonkers Yachts BV | Ouddorp | Netherlands | Jonkers Yachts BV | operator |
| Kuhnle Tours | Rechlin | Germany | Kuhnle Tours | operator |
| Leipzig Stadt, Amt für Stadtgrün und Gewässer | Leipzig | Germany | Leipzig, Amt für Stadtgrün und Gewässer | city/region |
| Lingqu (Xing’an) Canal Research Association | Xing'an | China | Linqu Canal Research Assn | city/region |
| Linssen Yachts | Maasbracht | Netherlands | Linssen Yachts | operator |
| Locaboat Développement | Paris | France | Locaboat Développement | operator |
| Lys Sans Frontières | La Gorgue | France | Lys Sans Frontières | association |
| Maasgouw Gemeente | Maasbracht | Netherlands | Maasgouw Gemeente | city/region |
| Messe Düsseldorf GmbH | Düsseldorf | Germany | Messe Düsseldorf BOOT | business |
| Mosanaut | Rotem | Belgium | Mosanaut | operator |
| NAUTIV vzw | Nieuwpoort | Belgium | NautiV vzw | association |
| Navicula Association of Elblag Canal Admirers | Lodz | Poland | Navicula Assn of Elblag Canal Admirers | association |
| New York State Canal Corporation | Albany, NY | USA | NY State Canal Corporation | authority |
| Nicols (Constructions Nautiques) | Cholet | France | Nicols (Constructions Nautiques) | operator |
| Ontario Waterway Cruises Inc | Orillia, ONT | Canada | Ontario Waterway Cruises | operator |
| Parks Canada | Peterborough, ONT | Canada | Parks Canada | authority |
| Penn State University | University Park, PA | USA | Penn State University | academic |
| PIANC | Brussel | Belgium | PIANC - AIPCN | international |
| Plavba a vodni cesty | Praha 4 | Czech Rep. | association | |
| Ředitelství vodních cest ČR | Praha 1 | Czech Rep. | Ředitelství vodních cest ČR | authority |
| Rijkswaterstaat, Water, Verkeer en Leefomgeving | Lelystad | Netherlands | Rijkswaterstaat | authority |
| Roam & Roost Canalboat Holidays | Ellesmere Port | UK | Roam & Roost Canalboat Holidays | operator |
| Royal Canal Amenity Group Ltd. | Dublin | Ireland | Royal Canal Amenity Group | association |
| Schleusenverein | Möhlin | Switzerland | Schleusenverein | association |
| Schubenacadie Canal Commission | Dartmouth, NS | Canada | Shubenacadie Canal Commission | city/region |
| Scottish Canals | Glasgow | UK | Scottish Canals | authority |
| Sjöfartsverket | Trollhättan | Sweden | Sjöfartsverket | authority |
| Státni Plavební Správa – Reditelství | Praha 7-Holesovice | Czech Rep. | Státni Plavební Správa – Reditelství | authority |
| Syndicat Mixte du Bassin du Lot | Cahors | France | Syndicat Mixte du Bassin du Lot | city/region |
| Transmanche Consultants s.a.r.l. | Comines | France | business | |
| Unser Finowkanal e.V. | Schorfheide | Germany | Unser Finowkanal | association |
| Vlaamse Pleziervaart Federatie v.z.w. | Brugge | Belgium | Vlaamse Pleziervaart Federatie vzw | association |
| Vlaamse Waterweg (De) | Hasselt | Belgium | De Vlaamse Waterweg | authority |
| Voyageur Ltd (FrenchWaterways.com) | Wallingford | UK | French-Waterways.com | business |
| Vrolijks Bureau | Breda | Netherlands | Vrolijks Bureau | business |
| Waterways Ireland | Enniskillen | UK - Ireland | waterwaysireland.org | authority |
| WIN Wassertourismus Initiative Nordbrandenbg | Hennigsdorf | Germany | WIN Wassertourismus Initiative Nordbrandenburg | city/region |
| World Canal Cities Organisation WCCO | Yangzhou | China | World Canal Cities Organisation – WCCO | association |
| Yacht Harbour Association (The) | Egham | UK | The Yacht Harbour Association | association |