Introduction Sponsored by Wuhan University of Technology, China and supported by Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, Antwerp University, Belgium and Vietnam Maritime University the 2007 conference will be held in the beautiful campus of Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Wuhan is located in the middle reach of Yangtze River which is the third longest river in the world. The conference is the crowning piece of an EU sponsored Asia-link Project on inland shipping with participants from Delft University of Technology, Wuhan University of Technology, Antwerp University and Vietnam Maritime University. Objectives The goal of this conference is to promote the renewing of knowledge on inland shipping technology covering ship design, shipbuilding, logistics and shipping management. Meanwhile the extension of knowledge and co-operation between researchers, industries and government is also a goal as well. You will be warmly welcomed by the School of Transportation, Wuhan University of Technology.