Discussion in Vienna about the fleet modernization in the Europe inland waterways

A team from Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated in a meeting of Work Group for Priority 1а of the EU's Strategy for the Danube region in the Austrian capital Vienna. The forum is dedicated to the fleet modernization in the Europe inland waterways. During the event, there would also be a workshop for project GRENDEL, in which representatives of the business and stakeholders can share experiences and practices for the development of the river transport as an eco-friendly mode of transport, which helps the economic growth of the countries from the Danube region. Together with the CEO of the Chamber – Mrs. Eleonora Ivanova and the expert Emilia Petkova, capt. Kamen Ivanov from EA Maritime Administration also joined the discussions.

The critical problem, which was pointed out by the participants in all events related to the development of the Danube, is the impossibility to use it all throughout the year for navigation. In order for the problem to be solved, it is necessary for the minimum depth of the river fairway throughout the year to be 2.5 meters.

During the event, the participants-representatives of ten countries, shared good practices from innovative projects, offered and ppresented various technical solutions for the modernization of the fleet, among which were prototypes to reduce emissions, switching to renewable and alternative fuels, reducing energy usage etc.

The French participants presented the State Aid scheme in support of the navigation, which is in use in their country. Through a specifically created fund, the business is provided with financing, thanks to which measures for fleet renewal and usage of renewable energy sources are implemented.

The shared experience will be used for the creation of a model for State Aid for the sector in the entire Europe. This is necessary, because big part of the vessels sailing on the inland waterways, are old, the sector doesn't have opportunities for investments and banks are unwilling to give credits to this sector, because the risk is unacceptable.

The water transport is environmentally friendly and has a serious growth potential. One of the risks, which stand before it, is the implementation of new restrictions of the allowed emissions.