European Policy for the Promotion of Inland Waterway Transport – A Case Study of the Danube River

Abstract

This research is based on the analysis of the waterway transport on Danube River and its aim is to point out the facts, based on which it will be possible to predict further directions of sustainable transport development on the most important waterway of Europe. The research indicates the basic rules of European politics of sustainable inland waterway development. The River Danube is considered to be the backbone of water transport in Europe. It connects, via Rhine – Main Canal, Western Europe and Rotterdam harbor with the Black Sea, that is with Russia and the East. The authors also analyse the data about the use of Danube waterway for transport of goods. This research covered a short description of Danube, the analysis of Danube fleet, the analysis of the amount of transported goods. Based on the result analysis the authors arrived at a conclusion that the use of River Danube for waterway transport purposes is unsatisfactory and that as such cannot be sustained in long term. Also, the research points to the basic European initiatives and investment projects in the field of river transport promotion. Considering the basic regulation documents and research results, the authors present an overview of measures and suggestions for efficient promotion of inland waterway. Key words: Promotion, inland waterway, transport, Danube.