OCJENA POSTOJEĆEG STANJA I SMJERNICE RAZVITKA SUSTAVA UNUTARNJEG VODNOG PROMETA U REPUBLICI HRVATSKOJ.

The paper aims at analyzing the basic features of inland waterways transport and the current condition of the European inland waterways network for the purpose of determining the potential opportunities for their better integration into the Trans -- European transport network. The comparative advantages of the inland waterways transport in relation to other transport modes appearprimarly in terms of safety and environmental acceptability and that is why the European transport policy gives to the improvement of this way of transport, beside the rail transport, priority within the whole transport system. An adequate development of the inland waterways network in accordance with the development strategy is a necessary precondition set for the improvement of inland navigation in the Republic of Croatia, which, despite its natural potential, is of minor importance in the structure of the realised transport. The implemented SWOT analysis provides a good basis for defining the potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the inland navigation system in the Republic of Croatia so important for setting up intermodal transport chains in Europe. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to indicate the possibilities, advantages and importance of inland waterways transport in order to integrate different transport sectors aiming at achieving the development and sustainability of the European transport system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]