A two-year initiative in Danube logistics for “chemical and petrochemical products on inland waterways” led by Viadonau – Österreichische Wasserstraßen-Gesellschaft (Vienna / Austria; www.viadonau.org) is focusing on connecting sectors to increase transport on water routes. Experts from the shipping and oil refinery industries discussed the potential for development in shipping the industry’s liquid products on the Danube river. The initiative will first deal mainly with refined products, of which 1.3m t were transported on the Danube in 2018, making up about 20% of the river’s transport volume. The initiative will then examine the transport of various plastics and other chemical products via inland vessel.

In 2018, freight shipping on the Danube in Austria decreased by around a quarter despite year-round navigability, with transport volumes falling to 7.2m t and waterside handling at Austrian Danube ports at 6.1m t. At the same time, passenger transport appeared unaffected by the marked low-water period. “The fact that the Danube waterway in Austria was not only available on all days of the year in 2018 but also remained navigable is not least due to targeted proactive measures taken by the Viadonau waterway management,” said the company of the Austrian ministry of transport. Critical shallows at the Rote Werd and Treuschütt ford sections were deepened through dredging, and hydraulic structures were optimised.

Due to Europe’s current dry period, the situation for waterway transport is becoming increasingly critical for the Danube and other rivers – see Plasteurope.com of 15.07.2019.