Waterways, infrastructure, ports: container industry and their contribution to multimodal transport: a Colombian point of view

Abstract

Rivers form a system of linear and vector movements, which are hierarchical and structured to move sediments and vital fluids through watersheds. They make complex dynamic, mechanical, energetic, chemical and biochemical reactions to support life in its various forms throughout their route. Rivers are a vital resource for the conservation of plant and animal species. They foster biodiversity in coastal ecosystems and provide food through fishing. They also provide drinking water and move the turbines to produce electricity. They supply irrigation to dry areas as well as navigation and recreation. Navigation allowed peoples inhabiting the shores of the seas and large rivers connect with each other, thus breaking the isolation caused by the progressive expansion of humans on the planet. Besides trade, some peoples used ships to increase military power, and gain political influence on others. River transport has fundamental advantages over railroads and highways: it requires lower investment and maintenance cost, lower power consumption, and they have larger cargo capacity at ports and plenty of traction to go the distance