Pro Danube - News

: 18 April 2018

PROMINENT project successfully delivers its final results

The final results of the PROMINENT project aimed at the greening and sustainability of the European inland navigation sector will be presented at the Transport Research Arena 2018 in Vienna, Austria (16-19 April). STC Group coordinates this large-scale project since May 2015. The project has been made possible by the European Commission.

PROMINENT focuses on researching, testing and introducing affordable, safe and green alternative energy concepts and technologies for the European inland navigation sector. At the same time PROMINENT wants to significantly reduce energy consumption and the 'carbon footprint' of inland shipping.The research shows that installing after-treatment systems, sailing with alternative fuels, navigating energy efficiently to save fuel and placing new engines or adjusting (hybrid or size adjustment) the engines are the most effective solutions.

An international project team (consisting of 17 participants) started in 2015 with the development of work packages in which the various sustainable and innovative solutions are described. These work packages provide the various stakeholders (public bodies, banks, port authorities, technology providers, fleet/ship owners and shippers) with know-how to make inland shipping greener. The innovative solutions researched by PROMINENT are relevant for 70% of the current fleet and can result in savings of up to 30%.

With 18,000 vessels and 40,000 crew members, the inland navigation sector can make a large contribution to the sustainability of the transport chain and the reduction of traffic jams on European roads. Because the human factor can also make an important contribution to the greening and sustainability of the inland shipping sector, 'digital education tools' have been developed as part of PROMINENT to make the logistics managers of the future more aware of the possibilities of the inland shipping as a transport modality.

The results of the project are available on the Prominent website, www.prominent-iwt.eu. There is also a short video available https://youtu.be/PYuWYpVG7T0.

Note for editors: For more information, please contact STC Group, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Project manager.

: 27 November 2017

Second edition "Danube Transport Day" successfully organised in the European Parliament

On 23 November 2017, Pro Danube International together with MEP Ana-Claudia Tapardel organized the second edition of the “Danube Transport Day” in the European Parliament, an event dedicated to the promotion of Danube transportation as vital element of the economic development of the Danube region.

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The event brought together high level representatives from the European Commission (Violeta Bulc – Commissioner for Transport, Maja Bakran-Marcich – Deputy Director General DG MOVE, Marco Onida – EUSDR Coordinator, DG REGIO), from the European Parliament (MEPs Gesine Meissner, Viorica Dancila, Pavel Telicka, Peter Kouroumbashev), from the Danube States (Felix Stroe – Minister of Transport of Romania, Veljko Kovacevic – Assistant Minister of Transport of Serbia, Juraj Mery – Gen. Dir. PM, Ministry of Transport of Slovakia, Ionut Pucheanu – Mayor of Galati, Romania, Maria Tzankova – Association of Danube River Municipalities), high level industry leaders (Thomas Maaßen – Rhenus Logistics, Antonio Stoean – TTS Group, Radu Comanici – Danubia Kreuzfahrten GmbH) as well as more than 70 experts and stakeholders with a dedicated interest in the Danube navigation.

As organizer and member of the European Parliament's Transport Committee, MEP Tapardel opened the event with a message highlighting the importance of the Danube in the transport and trade scheme in Europe, advocating the need for an integrated approach to investment in projects drawn up by the stakeholders and the European Commission. "Despite the shortcomings caused by poor infrastructure and maintenance levels, the Danube is one of the most important waterways with a huge potential for the development of European industry. I firmly believe that transport on the Danube can became a platform for European connectivity in the long run”, said Ms Tapardel. The main message of MEP Tapardel referred to the fact that effective and sustainable Danube navigation constitutes a notable way to reach the multimodality objectives of the European Union while stimulating the industry and economy of the riparian countries.

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As keynote speaker, Commissioner Violeta Bulc has sent an important message of support for transforming the Danube into a sustainable core transport axis of the European Union. Commissioner Bulc reviewed some of the initiatives by which the EC supports regional cooperation, and called on stakeholders to be more active in addressing national and European decision-makers in order to increase the visibility of the inland navigation sector in the political debate. According to Commissioner Bulc,"The economic potential of the Danube region is infinite and the European Commission is ready to pay extra attention to inland navigation. Now that we are at a turning point in the transport sector, one in which we are trying to integrate digitalization and sustainability objectives, inland navigation can be a defining element of the European connectivity and logistics network. However, I would like to point out that this sector is still underrepresented and promoted in Brussels. That is why today I appeal to those present to find a common message and to draw up an action plan that the Commission can then support financially and technically".

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On behalf of Romania, Mr Felix Stroe, Minister of Transport, presented the vision and the progress of the ministry regarding the current status of the inland waterway transport activities, ongoing projects as well as planned actions. "Romania pays particular attention to the inland waterway sector, which is regarded as the most efficient mode of transport, both economically and environmentally, taking all necessary measures to ensure proper conditions of navigation, both in the Romanian sector but also in the Bulgarian one, in case the national obligations were not properly fulfilled”, said Mr Stroe.

Assistant Minister of Transport of Serbia Mr Veljko Kovačevic and General Director of Project Management, Ministry of Transport of Slovakia Mr Juraj Méry elaborated on several important infrastructure projects in their countries which clearly demonstrate the political will to improve the functioning of the Danube waterway.

MEP Peter Kouroumbashev from Bulgaria draw attention in his speech to some important aspects such as fairway maintenance of the BG sector, importance of strategic bridges between RO-BG, building of common hydropower plants as well as Schengen adherence of Romania and Bulgaria. Mr Kouroumbashev took note of all the remarks coming from Romanian stakeholders with regard to fairway maintenance and dredging issues and promised to pass them along to his Ministry of Transport.

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Mr Manfred Seitz, Secretary General of Pro Danube International, raised the awareness towards the innovation needs of the Danube IWT sector. According to Mr Seitz, "The Danube Region needs smart, sustainable and inclusive growth based on a modern transport system. Danube waterways can provide efficient logistics solutions both in terms of costs and from an environmental perspective, which will improve the competitive situation of many industries that seek access to the Black Sea, Caspian and Middle East markets. Targeted innovation will steer to the modernization of this important sector and will result into a revitalized of the Danube transport among transport users, logistics service providers and the wider public. Mr Seitz introduced the third major lead project of Pro Danube - GRENDEL – which addresses the objectives defined in the “Green Deal for Danube River Transport”, the policy & business framework to improve efficiency & environmental performance of Danube waterway transport system. This initiative was officially introduced during last year’s edition and fosters cooperation of the public and private sector in order to enhance and to green the Danube river transport. Other two successful lead projects which are part of the Green Deal are “DANTE – Improving Administrative Procedures and Processes for Danube IWT” and “DAPhNE – Danube Ports Network”, both projects receiving funding from the Danube Transnational Programme.

The presentations introduced at the Danube Transport Day can be downloaded here.

The Danube Transport Day was lively broadcasted on CaleaEuropeana.ro, a multimedia platform promoting EU policies & strategies. The recording can be accessed at: http://www.caleaeuropeana.ro/video-eurodeputatul-claudia-tapardel-psd-sd-transportul-pe-dunare-poate-constitui-platforma-pentru-conectivitatea-europeana-pe-termen-lung/

: 20 September 2017

Danube Transport Day 2017 in European Parliament

With the support of MEP Ana-Claudia Tapardel (Member TRAN), PDI is organising the second edition of the Danube Transport Day on 23 November 2017 in the European Parliament. This event will bring together for a fruitful dialogue on one side officials from the European Parliament and the European Commission (confirmed participation of Ms Violeta Bulc, Commissioner for Transport) and on the other side industry representatives from main industries active in the Danube region.

The 2017 event shall raise the awareness of the members of the European Parliament, the European Commission as well as of invited policy makers towards the infrastructure and innovation needs and the planned innovation activities of the Danube IWT sector for its modernization and for achieving a revitalised image of the Danube transport among transport users, logistics service providers and the wider public.

A preliminary agenda can be found here. Please note that participation is free of charge and will provide very good networking opportunities.

If you are interested to participate, please contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Registration deadline is 15 November 2017.

: 07 July 2017

Petition for urgent dredging of the most critical sections of the Bulgarian Danube sector

With the support of over 60 members and undersigned organisations, Pro Danube approached the Bulgarian Transport Minister Mr Ivaylo Moskovski in order to ensure immediate dredging of the critical Bulgarian Danube sections. Based on the information received from the hydrographic surveys of the Danube fairway performed beginning of June by the Bulgarian waterway administration, it became clear that especially at the locations of Milka Island (km 569 – 567), Brashlyan Island (KM 457-455) and Popina (KM 407-405) the fairway depths will fall even below 1,8 m in case of shallow water situations which can be expected usually for summer and autumn. These well-known bottlenecks have created in previous years (2011-2016) several times severe restrictions to navigation or even total blockage leading to massive financial losses.

This official request on behalf of the industry is in line with the international obligations of the State of Bulgaria to ensure minimum navigation conditions and with its commitments within the EU initiatives for improving maintenance of the Danube fairway (by signing the Declarations of the Danube Transport Ministers in Luxembourg/June 2012, in Brussels/December 2014 and in Rotterdam/June 2016).

In addition, PDI informed the EU Commissioner for Transport Ms Violeta Bulc and Commissioner for Regional Policy Ms Corina Cretu on the critical state and asked to urge the Bulgarian minister for Transport to act immediately in order to avoid blockage of Danube. Further interventions on various political and administrative levels are planned in the next two weeks if necessary.

We would like to use this chance and thank again all those organisations that have supported our initiative. The letter and list of undersigned companies can be found attached to this news.

Letter to Mr Ivaylo Moskovski, Bulgarian Transport Minister

List of undersigned companies