From 16 to 18 July 2025, the School of Management, Mae Fah Luang University, in collaboration with Chulalongkorn Business School, the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Program of Chulalongkorn University, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), co-hosted the “7th International Conference of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT 2025)” at Mae Fah Luang University.
Held under the theme “Promoting Sustainability of Inland Waterway Transport and Logistics,” the conference focused on the transformative potential of inland waterways in enhancing economic connectivity, promoting environmental sustainability, and fostering social cohesion.
The opening ceremony, held on 17 July 2025, featured keynote speeches from executives representing UNESCAP and MFU, highlighting the importance of developing sustainable and efficient inland waterway transport systems to drive regional and global progress. The conference programme included research presentations, special talks, and workshops on several significant topics such as AI and optimization models for river transport, river ships powered by renewable energy, river shipping operation case studies (e.g., Mekong River, Yangtze River, as well as trends, challenges, and policies in inland waterway transport.
IWT 2025 brought together researchers, policymakers, business leaders, and industry experts, to foster collaboration, share insights, and develop actionable strategies to address the challenges and opportunities in inland waterway transport and logistics. It served as a crucial platform to highlight how sustainable practices, complemented by modern technological tools, can shape the future of global logistics networks.
Papers selected by the conference organisers will be recommended for potential publication in international journals such as the International Journal of Logistics Management (IJLM) and the International Journal of Maritime Policy & Management (MPM).
