The Hungarian National Traffic Authority (Nemzeti Közlekedesi Hatosag) issued on 27 February two new regulations (010/Du/2012 and 011/DU/2012) which result into severe restrictions for Danube navigation. The new regulations limit the size of the pushed convoys on the Danube section upstream of Budapest (KM 1812 - 1641) to four barges and downstream of Budapest (KM 1641 - 1433) to six barges based on the dimensions of Eurobarge II (76.5 X 11.4m).
The old regulations allowed bigger convoys which resulted e.g. into the operation of up to 9 barges south of Budapest. The new legislation also imposed a maximum vessel draught of 2.5 m. This restriction will persist even in periods of good water levels (usually 4-5 month a year) where the convoys could load up to 2.7/2.8 m gaining in efficiency. Among others, the new legislation forbids the encounter of convoys bigger than 140 x 23 m (two barges) at 36 spots on a section of the Danube covering 351 km. This causes additional operational problems for fleet operators. The regulation was published without prior notice and was enforced by the authorities as from 1st of March. It will have severe negative consequences such as:
The capacity loss caused by the limitation of the convoy size is calculated to be more than 30%. The draft limitation will create an additional capacity loss of up to 20%. Both limitations will also have a negative impact on air emissions.
Many barging companies in particular operate a very high number of barges longer than the Eurobarge II which is the technical basis for the size limits. These companies will be forced to reduce convoy size even to two/four barge convoys.
In shallow water periods, barge operators use bigger convoys to compensate missing draught which will become now impossible. The supply of raw materials to major industries will become more unreliable and more costly.
The barging sector estimates that the Hungarian legislation will increase transport costs by 100-150% which in reality will force transport by barge out of the transport market. This also will reduce the competitiveness of major industries such as steel, fertilizer, paper, recycling as well as many segments of the agro-industry. As a consequence, it will endanger economic growth in the entire Danube region and will put thousands of jobs at risk.
PDI therefore acted on behalf of its members and started to fight for an abolishment or at least for significant moderations of these regulations. In a first step, PDI has again addressed the EC asking for support (see letter: PDI to EC on HU restrictions). In personal meetings with representatives of DG MOVE and DG REGIO we explained the severe economic consequences of the new regulations and its relationship to the planned EC initiative on better fairway conditions. We also approached the Danube Commission and asked our network partners to bring this case also up to the level of bilateral politics. As it is definitely the wrong way to answer shortcomings in infrastructure maintenance with limitations on traffic, we will continue with our actions and will keep you informed.
The Hungarian Danube does not need limitations on navigation but it requires proper infrastructure maintenance instead!