Journal of Danubian Studies and Research, Vol 4, No 1 (2014)

Abstract

Inland waterways is a safe way of moving goods and passengers, with low cost, with development opportunities that can provide congestion the avoidance major ports, low noise levels, low power consumption and the last but not least, a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Despite these clear advantages, currently the hipping percentage of total transport volume in the Danube region is below 10%. Specific to the majority of inland waterways, the Danube can and should play an increasingly greater role in transport, especially in terms of interregional freight transport and not least in the connection with European seas. The European Pan Transport Corridor VII, which includes shipping on the Danube River to the Black Sea, can and it must bring it to full capacity by deploying a fleet of transport development, an increase in operating capacity of the Danube ports and general development of the coastal regions. Through its specific policies, the EU manages to play an increased role in the development of transport in system, in general, and of the transport on inland waterways, including the River Danube.