The aim of this paper is to develop and evaluate new design options for barges for the economically viable transport of 45’ standard high-cube containers. Special attention was given to the potential performance of the new designs for navigation during low water periods on the Danube. To reach this aim, a four-step approach was conducted: first, a literature review was conducted, second, a scenario was selected leading to defined waterways and goods, third, the results were visualized, and fourth, the design options were evaluated. The research resulted in six design options for barges optimized for accommodating 45’ standard high-cube containers. The barges should serve the Danube stretch between Enns/Austria and Giurgiu/Romania. A major conclusion is that which of the six barge designs fits best depends on the business case, since each of the options have several advantages and disadvantages which have to be investigated such as a different loading capacity. A barge being able to carry between 24 and 90’ standard high cube containers.