Pro Danube International was honoured to co-organise with the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions in the frame of the Seas, Rivers, Islands, and Coastal Areas Intergroup of the European Parliament the high-level event “Inland Waterways Transport in the Danube: Taking Stock of the NAIADES III Strategy”. The event, co-hosted by MEP Carmen Avram and MEP Caroline Nagtegaal, represents a highlight of our Europe-wide campaign dedicating the year 2022 to the promotion of Danube Logistics and Tourism under the motto “GO GREEN, GO SMART – CHOOSE DANUBE IWT”.Both the European Strategy for Smart and Sustainable Mobility as well as NAIADES III, as part of the EU Green Deal, seek to increase the share of Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) by 25% by 2030 and by 50% by 2050. At the same time, given that one of the main challenges for the IWT sector is to make the necessary energy transition and to look for alternative energy sources and propulsions, the event provided the scene to discuss highly important aspects directly affecting the immediate future of IWT. Key-note speeches were delivered by important actors representing both the public (European Parliament and European Commission) as well as the private sectors.
In her opening speech, Ms. Caroline Nagtegaal-Van Doorn highlighted the fact that the Danube is an important shipping route for the European inland navigation in Central and Eastern Europe, connecting ten EU and non-EU countries. A key logistics axis of the entire region – and beyond, the Danube Region faces specific challenges. These challenges were high on the agenda of the event.
Representing a wide network of businesses operating on the Danube, Pro Danube International was represented by its Chairman Mr. Herfried Leitner and General Secretary Mr. Robert Rafael. Given the ambitious plan of the EU to become climate neutral and highlighting IWT’s crucial role in supporting this pathway, PDI’s Chairman discussed the prerequisite for a competitive Danube waterborne transportation. In order to support the transition towards climate neutrality while keeping a sharp eye on economic viability, several aspects need to be considered:
- Securing an efficient waterway infrastructure and maintenance, as there are still some serious bottlenecks that hamper navigability. To overcome these limitations in the fairway, we – as Pro Danube International - proposed to the Commission - that the IWT-sector, together with the waterway administrations should join forces and regularly and proactively, come together, and prepare a set of measures to maintain a Good Navigation Status.
- Provide support for the development of high-performing ports that serve as regional economic hubs and that enable the integration of IWT into multimodal logistic supply chains. Even though Danube ports understand their role in the logistics industry, there still is some room for improvements like less rigid regulatory barriers and obstacles for the creation of just-in-time synchromodal logistics solutions, then a higher level of automatization, and last but not least, flexible (as we call it) Port Services On Demand – services in the ports, which are available 24 hours – 7 days a week, like at train stations – or airports.
- When it comes to multi-modal solutions - there is a gap between the Upper & Lower parts of the Danube. We, therefore, need multi-modal solutions to reach the NAIADES III targets – and this is where we have to focus in the future – being ready for multi-modal services in the lower Danube section.
- Likewise important - one of the greatest challenges the sector faces is the source of energy. As of today, we are certain in saying there will be no "one solution fits all". Whatever the energy source will be, one thing is clear - it must be available along all routes. It would make no sense to use one source of energy on the Rhine and another one on the Danube.
- Customers of the sector, like steel manufacturers, fertilizer producers and the supply chain of agricultural products, rely on the waterborne transportation services across those rivers and between the regions. And the same goes of course also for the tourism – the vessel cruising - sector. This is a responsibility we have and therefore, we must ensure a coordinated, common approach between the regions.
- Digital transportation is another "hot topic" for the future of the industry. River Information Services and data (thanks to projects like the RIS COMEX) enable today's waterway transport and logistics users to properly calculate routes and it also enables us to lift documentation hurdles and remove administrative barriers. And this is where Pro Danube International says - “Same River – Same Rules” - no need anymore - for handwritten papers at border crossing and controls. Let’s re-use available data in the system, and save time and money for the operators.
Mr. Vasile Varvaroi, President of the Romanian Grain Traders Association (ARCPA) stressed in his intervention that the Danube is the most important means of transportation for customers worldwide through the Port of Constanta. Moreover, he underlined the great importance of IWT for the transport of Ukraine’s products – with this mode of transport playing an essential role in the functioning of the Solidarity Lanes.
The perspective of the tourism sector was brought in by Mr. Radu Comanici, the representative of Lüftner Cruises. In his intervention, Mr. Comanici stated that even though highly appreciated – the tourism sector on the Danube is still facing some difficulties mainly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector is nevertheless slowly but surely recovering.
Representing DG MOVE, Ms. Daniela Rosca presented and discussed the European Commission’s objectives for the Danube Region such as supporting the sector’s transition towards climate neutrality while making IWT smarter & more attractive. Equally important is the creation of adequate premises for sustainable jobs.
In her closing speech, Ms. Nagtegaal stressed that the transport connection – via the recently implemented Solidarity Lanes – has to be further improved. IWT may play in this regard an essential role. Ms. Nagtegaal furthermore advocated for the introduction of a special European inland navigation fund to help the sector with its green and digital transition.
Pro Danube International would like to use this opportunity to thank all the keynote speakers as well as the attendees for their participation in this very important event. Special thanks go as well to our co-organisers CPMR and the SEArica Intergroup for hosting the event.
If you missed the event - the recording is available for download here.