The optimisation study of container barges in the western basins commissioned by the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille is carried out as part of the Rhône-Saône Plan; the stakeholders involved in the organisation of the river service over the basin, VNF, CNR and the PACA Regional Council are therefore involved. The overall objective of this structuring study is to define the means of fluidification and reliability of the service to the port by barges, the river being a vector of competitiveness of the port and diversification of the service of its hinterland, the Mediterranean-Rhône-Saône axis, a major axis of communication.