Since 2001 Lightweight Structures B.V. has been investigating the market potential of lightweight barges. Traditionally barges for inland shipping are made of steel. In 2001 Lightweight Structures B.V. was asked to do a presentation on "new materials" to a meeting of the members of the inland shipping branche organisation CBRB in the Netherlands. Developments in the truck and trailer branche were presented where lightweight engineering has become an important factor in maintaining a competitive edge. Increasing fuel prices force the transportation industry to investigate ways of the optimisation of costs. Reduction of structural vehicle weight may lead to increased payload. The CBRB members were asked if a similar line of reasoning would hold for inland shipping. A number of companies reacted afterwards. ELV (ELV (European Logistic Transport Co-operation, a partnership of barge owners, founded in 1994) was interested in new ships due to the ageing fleet of the organisation's members.
Together with Schipco B.V. (representing ELV) and Interim Assistance B.V. (representing a group of Dutch composites manufacturers) Lightweight Structures B.V. submitted R&D proposals to a number of international and national funding programmes. End of 2007 the consortium started the development of a composite barge after receipt of funding by the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (in Dutch: Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat).
The European Commission authorised this Dutch subsidy supporting the development of an innovative, multi-purpose, lightweight, composite inland shipping vessel. The Commission approved Dutch state aid for this project as the objective is fully in line with the message of the EU Naiades programme to strengthen the competitive position of inland waterway transport, in particular by enhancing its integration into multi-modal supply chains. Since the ship will use the Canal du Nord, its name is CompocaNord.
Underneath a few preliminary results are listed in terms of technical data.

Technical data barge CompocaNord

Total length	65 m
Width	5.75 m
Aft	10 m
Nave	50 m*
Centre section	5 m
Fore-part of ship	5 m
Length cargo space	45 m
Maximum draft	3 m

*The nave shall be subdivided into three different sections. Two sections from each 22.5 m will be used for carrying cargo with a total length of 45 m and the section in the middle of the cargo spaces is used for installing the engines, patrol tank and a car.

The following Finite Element Analysis plot shows the strains of the transfer stiffeners in the nave. The transfer stiffeners and the sandwich panels are designed according to the right criteria.