PROMINENT addresses the key needs for technological development, as well as barriers to innovation and greening in the European inland navigation sector. With the signature of INEA (Innovation & Networks Executive Agency of the European Commission) on the Grant Agreement of PROMINENT, the project officially started on 1 May 2015 and will be implemented on a period of 36 months. PROMINENT will combine the experiences gained from previous and ongoing projects executed since the first NAIADES action programme, ongoing activities in the fields addressed on a (pan-) European and national level and will initiate, support and stimulate deployment during and after the project period. In order to turn the innovative solutions into real-life implementation, the PROMINENT consortium has ensured the active participation and support of representatives of the IWT industry, fleet operators, engine and equipment manufacturers, inland navigation educational institutions, experienced consultants and research institutes, as well as waterway operators and administrations.

Pro Danube Management is leader of the work package dealing with real-life pilot deployments. The activities foreseen include the implementation of pilot tests of standardised systems for LNG propulsion, diesel after-treatment, energy efficient navigation, digital education as well as certification and monitoring of emissions and operational profiles. In addition to Pro Danube, Navrom SA participates in the project and will equip a certain number of its vessels with advanced echo sounders. This shall allow the consortium to build up a database of flow data on fairway depth providing updated information to the waterway administrations and generating an important input for the construction of an advanced trip advisory tool reducing fuel consumption of vessels by optimizing engine power and trajectory.

PROMINENT is funded by the Horizon 2020 programme, the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme. The project is coordinated by STC-Group (NL) and brings together 17 partners from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Romania.