News

In a recent workshop organised by EUSDR PA 1A and the Danube Commission, key stakeholders gathered to address the pressing issue of low water conditions on the Danube River. The workshop, titled "The potential of fairway information services and active traffic management to cope with low water conditions", brought together representatives from the European Commission, national waterway administrations presenting their current efforts and plans, and transnational sector organisations. Acting as the unified voice of the businesses operating on the Danube, Pro Danube took a proactive stance by highlighting the necessity to coordinate fairway management and maintenance tasks regularly, ensuring the active involvement of industry stakeholders.

Taking note of the environmental permission hurdles, the Pro Danube representative has advocated to already plan the projects jointly with the competent environmental and transport bodies to propose feasible solutions and not ones which might be stopped later.

 

Pro Danube has highlighted the quick wins which might be gained using the state-of-the-art digital tools, as an example: in case physical buoys must be removed from the waterway, the virtual aids to navigation elements can still stay online and be displayed in the standardised viewer software. Members of Pro Danube have also provided concrete inputs, requests and proposals to continue the good path of joint efforts for the best use of the fairway under the all-times circumstances, and expressed their thanks to the waterway managers and the Danube Commission.

In a move towards fostering collaboration and effective communication, Pro Danube recently participated in the inaugural FAIRway Danube II Stakeholder Forum. This forum serves as a vital platform for structured and effective dialogue between key user groups, stakeholders, and the project itself. As a multidisciplinary advisory body, it comprises individuals and organisations affected by the activities of the project, ensuring a comprehensive representation of interests.

The primary objective of the forum is to facilitate the active involvement of stakeholders in the development and evaluation of innovative, flexible infrastructure elements aimed at enhancing the resilience of the Danube River, particularly during low water conditions. By encouraging participation and information exchange, the forum seeks to contribute significantly to the improvement of the FAIRway Danube II project.

The Stakeholder's Forum serves as more than a mere communication platform; it is a dynamic space where stakeholders can actively contribute to shaping the future of the FAIRway Danube II project. Participants are encouraged to provide independent and professional input, facilitating discussions, making recommendations, and offering advice on various project-related issues.

Pro Danube welcomes the establishment of the FAIRway Danube II Stakeholder Forum and expresses its full support for the periodic consultation with stakeholders. By advocating for the involvement of all relevant groups, our association emphasises the importance of having diverse perspectives around the table at all times. This inclusive approach ensures that decisions are well-rounded, reflecting the various interests and concerns of those directly impacted by the project. In a nutshell, Pro Danube's active participation in the forum reflects our commitment to constructive engagement and collaboration in shaping the future of the Danube IWT industry. By supporting the initiative of regular consultations and advocating for inclusivity, acting at the same time as the unified voice of the businesses operating on the Danube, our association decisively contributes to the creation of a robust and well-informed decision-making process for the benefit of all stakeholders affected by the outcomes of FAIRway Danube II. 

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The second International eKKon Conference organised by eFuel Alliance Austria and WKO in Vienna served as a platform for representatives from science, business, and politics to meet and discuss the practicalities of achieving a climate-neutral energy system. From the opening day, a commitment to technological openness, scientific exploration, investment-friendly frameworks, and global energy partnerships was evident. Pro Danube seized the opportunity to contribute to the discussions, shedding light on the potential of e-fuels and emphasizing the crucial role of IWT in achieving climate neutrality.

The conference provided Pro Danube with a valuable platform to reiterate its commitment to a cleaner, more reliable, and economically viable IWT industry. By actively engaging in discussions on climate-neutral fueling systems, Pro Danube demonstrated its dedication to exploring innovative solutions and fostering collaboration to address the challenges faced by the Danube IWT sector.

Beyond discussions, the conference provided an excellent environment for networking. Pro Danube, keen on establishing connections and collaborations, showcased its commitment through a poster presentation. The poster not only highlighted Pro Danube's key mission but also its active involvement in various EU-funded projects aimed at fostering sustainability and innovation in the IWT industry. The poster is available for download here.

The Pro Danube Team extends its heartfelt gratitude to eFuel Alliance Austria for the fruitful cooperation and the possibility to participate and present its poster in the frame of this high-level conference. 

We are thrilled to announce that GAMAX Kft. has decided to join the Pro Danube community!

GAMAX Kft. is an IT expert company engaged in software development, localisation, digitalisation, and system integration in several fields. In the past more than 10 years, GAMAX Kft. has been involved as a key supplier of several IT solutions related to River Information Services applications with assignments from the Austrian, Hungarian, and Serbian waterway managers and RIS Providers. Since 2008, GAMAX Kft. provides operation and support services for the solutions delivered in the IRIS Europe, PannonRIS, and European Hull Database projects.

Welcome on Board!