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

Abstract

From a geopolitical perspective, Danube represents an extremely important axis since it connects the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, with access to the Black Sea. The Main-Danube Channel with a length of 171 km, connects since 1992 the Main river and Danube from Bamberg by Nurnberg to Kelheim. The channel is part of the maritime track between Rotterdam and Constanţa, being the shortest navigable connection between the North Sea and the Black Sea, on the rivers Rin, Main, Main-Danube Channel, Danube and Danube - Black Sea Channel. The works on the channel between Bamberg and Nurnberg started in 1960 and were completed in 1972. In 1962 there were completed the works of arrangement of the channel on the Main river up to Bamberg. The last section between Kelheim and Nurnberg, between ‘70s and ‘80s, was politically controversial for such section of 34 km that pass by Altmühl Valley. On 25 September 1992 this last part of channel was commissioned as well.