Multifunctional cargo and freight lines: prerequisites, history, perspectives and technological highlights of new concepts

The task of inclusion of internal water transport into multimodal transport schemas of freight and passenger transportation now becomes a special actuality, what dictate the need for the search of adequate transport and technological solutions. The article deals with the main challenges und trends in connection with the results of the international and domestic shipping in 2020. With reference to the analysis of domestic and foreign experiences the article deals with the advantages of the modern modification of the concept of the “cargo and passenger” ship with horizontal loading that proved itself from the end of the 19th century. In the opinion of the authors the introduction of multifunctional ferry und transport logistical systems will promote the gradual integration of the river into the delivery process of high tarificatetd freights and return automobile transport in his usual segment of middle distance transportation in the season of peak traffic.