Location of the port
on the federal waterway of the River Neckar

The River Neckar is designated for use as a main shipping thoroughfare along the 201-kilometre stretch between Mannheim and Plochingen.

A total of 27 locks have been built to cope with the difference in elevation of 161 metres between Mannheim and Plochingen.

The entrance to the Port of Stuttgart lies on the River Neckar at the 186,693-kilometre point.

The individual stretches of waterway are as follows:
 

The size of barges using the River Neckar is limited by the 110-metre long and 12-metre wide lock dimensions.

Minimum water depth is 2.80 metres, allowing the Port of Stuttgart to receive large motor vessels with draughts of 2.60 metres and deadweight tonnages of 2,200 tonnes.