The inability of road transport to satisfy projected traffic demand in the new millennium, except at unacceptable cost in terms of environmental standards, means that every opportunity must be sought to develop alternative modes. All the evidence suggests that water transport is by far the least damaging of the modes with respect to air and ground pollution, noise, vibration and visual intrusion and in terms of demand for finite resources of fuel, aggregates and land itself. This paper looks at the potential for increased use of mater transport worldwide, with particular emphasis on the scope for ＇combined transport＇ by the use of river-sea ships which have full sea-going capability but on dimensions which allow maximum penetration of inland waterways. It concludes that there must be an expanding role for more effectively integrated inland, coastal and short-sea shipping and the development of the maritime links in both domestic and international freight movement.