Is the inland waterways system primed for mitigating road transport in Egypt?

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the possibility of using hybrid transportation modes depending on inland waterways transport to reduce the dependency on road transport in Egypt focusing on environmental, economic, and social measures. Design/ methodology/ approach The research is considered inductive qualitative research that employed a focus group tool to collect interactive and in-depth insights from experts in the field of transportation within different sectors in Egypt because the study needs a deep investigation to validate the preparedness of inland waterways in Egypt. Findings The study revealed that, while Egypt's inland waterways have significant potential to reduce reliance on road transport, significant challenges require being addressed, such as infrastructure improvements, fleet modernization, labor training, and government incentives, all of which have been recognized as significant opportunities for development and are critical to exposing the true potential of this mode in Egypt. Research implications/ limitations One of the major research limitations encountered in this study was a lack of comprehensive and up-to-date data on inland waterway transport in Egypt. The data accessible from diverse sources, such as government bulletins, reports, and scholarly publications, is often inconsistent. Practical implications/ limitations Many practical limitations were involved during the study, including the socioeconomic elements that form perceptions regarding inland waterways transport, which may have influenced participants' perspectives. Also, analyzing focus group sessions is time-consuming to uncover, articulate, and illuminate meaning from the data collected. Originality This study fills a significant gap throughout the body of literature by investigating the integration of inland waterways transport with road transport in Egypt. It is a stakeholder-centered approach focused on Egyptian experts' comments about the two modes. This study provides practical insights that could improve and promote sustainable transportation in Egypt. Received: 13 October 2024 Accepted: 20 November 2024 Published: 26 November 2024