Initiated by DAPhNE and successfully continued on a yearly basis by DIONYSUS, the Danube Ports Days have become a must-attend event on the agenda of the IWT community in the Danube Region and well beyond, providing a transnational platform to discuss, by bringing together decision-makers, experts and the IWT sector, key aspects related to port development issues. This year's event is organised by Pro Danube in cooperation with the Green Inland Ports, MultiRELOAD, and Synergetics projects with the support of the Danube Ports Network.

When: 23-24 November 2023

Where: thinkPORT VIENNA & online

Co-organised by the Maritime Ports Administration Constanta and Pro Danube Management supported by the Danube Ports Network, the event will touch upon relevant topics impacting the IWT industry.

The present EU modal shift and emission reduction targets (deriving from policy initiatives such as the European Green Deal, A Clean Planet for All, A Europe that protects: Clean air for all, A Europe fit for the Digital Age) contribute to improving the competitive position of the inland waterway transport sector in the overall transport modal split. An efficient infrastructure, environmentally friendly and modern inland waterway vessels, an optimum integration of inland waterway transport (IWT) and inland ports into the multimodal logistics chains, qualified staff as well as the use of digital services are basic prerequisites for a competitive and smart waterway mode.

Danube Ports Days (DPD) provides a transnational platform to present, discuss and collect feedback on the challenges faced by the port sector. The annual Danube Ports Days events promote IWT and Danube Ports towards logistics stakeholders in order to use inland waterway transport as part of their logistics chains. The proposed event continues the series of successful events organised in 2020 and in 2021. The Danube Ports Day 2022, organised online, is dedicated to the following main topics: i) the Ukrainian goods exported from Danube ports and the new logistics chains, ii) transport of goods on the Lower Danube – reflecting on infrastructure conditions, opportunities and challenges, iii) digitalisation trends and intermodal logistics in the Danube Region.

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Following the Danube Ports Day event, a digitalisation workshop initiated by Platina3, DIWA, RIS COMEX, DIONYSUS, and the sector representatives Pro Danube, EICB, and the IWT Platform, will be organised. The aim of the workshop is to bring together a wide range of expertise and professional insights from shippers, barge owners, and operators, logistics service providers, representatives of ports and terminal operators as well as technology providers and authorities interested in the latest developments in the field of digital transformation, automation and data sharing in IWT. 

Date and time: 23 November 2021, 13:30-16:30

Location: online, based on prior registration

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Rolled out in the framework of the DIONYSUS project, the Danube Ports Day annual events are meant to continue the well-established practice in the DAPHNE project by holding events dedicated to port affairs providing insights into the policy framework and concrete examples of development works and projects as well as to trigger future key actions meant to place Danube Region ports as ideal locations for setting up businesses relying on waterborne infrastructure. 

The 2021 edition is organised by the Port Authority Vukovar in close cooperation with Pro Danube Management and shall facilitate a structured discussion on port development opportunities touching on topics such as (a) (urban) mobility, (b) electrification, and (c) port logistics.  

Date & time: 23 November 2021, 10:00-12:30 (CET)

Location: online (TEAMS) based on prior registration

REGISTER

Rolled out in the framework of the DIONYSUS project, the Danube Ports Day annual events are meant (i) to continue the well-established practice in the DAPHNE project by holding events dedicated to port affairs providing insights into the policy framework and concrete examples of development works and projects as well as (ii) to trigger future key actions meant to place Danube Region ports as ideal locations for setting up businesses relying on waterborne infrastructure. 

This 2020 event shall facilitate a structured discussion on port development opportunities touching on topics such as (a) shore side electricity and (b) integrated logistics. Shore-side electricity, which allows ships to turn off their engines and plug into an electrical grid while at berth, has been steadily growing in popularity as a reliable solution to cutting emissions as well as reducing noise and vibration. First-hand information will be provided based on the results of several EU & national funded projects, whereas, at the same time, two fleet operators will present from a user’s perspective related prerequisites. In relation to the second topic, two port operators from Romania and Moldova will introduce their logistics solutions to efficiently accommodate intermodal transport to and from their ports, whereas one logistics service provider from Hungary will offer examples of fully integrated logistics solutions making use of the waterways. 

Date & time: 17 November 2020 / 10:00 – 14:30 (CET)

Agenda: see document

Location: online (Webex) based on prior registration

Registration link: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/Dionysus_DPD2020_Registration

thinkport VIENNA (powered by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna and the Port of Vienna) and the EFIP (European Federation of Inland Ports) are organising an Inland Port Open Innovation Challenge based on the EFIP Strategy Paper.

The main question of the Challenge is: 

What can European Inland Ports contribute
to achieve the climate targets?

The Challenge will gather ideas on how european inland ports, in their role as multimodal transport hubs, can contribute to achieve the climate targets.

Here you can find more information.

10 April 2019

Vienna, Austria

The official launch of Danube Ports Network (DPN) on the 10 April 2019 in Vienna is another key milestone in the DPN’s life. With this event, we knowledged the successful work carried out within the framework of the DAPhNE - Danube Ports Network Project (Jan.2017-June 2019) and introduced to a larger audience one of its successful outputs, namely the Danube Ports Network (DPN). 

Launched in June 2018, the DPN acts as a regional coordination and collaboration platform involving public and private Danube port and terminal organisations in the Danube Region. At this stage, the Network brings together public & private Danube port organisations, currently involved in the DAPhNE Project. However, with the support and collective effort of 8 strategic partners, the Network shall continue functioning as a coordination and cooperation platform after the end of the project (June 2019). In this context, in his opening intervention, Mr. Manfred Seitz, General Secretary Pro Danube International (PDI) -- the host organisation of the DPN Technical Secretariat -- had presented the DPN vision, mission and objectives, underlinging the importance of a well - cordinated platform for coherent transnational cooperation of the Danube Region ports.

Keynote speeches were delivered by strategic partners of the DPN, namely  Mr. Turi Fiorito, Director European Federation of Inland Ports  (EFIP) and by Dr. M. Fazekas, Executive Chairman Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI). As the representative of the EFIP’s Secretariat – one of the most relevant DPN’s strategic partners in promoting Danube ports’ interests at EU level, Mr Firorito shared with the DPN community his views on the role of Danube ports in the overall EU inland ports sector, the challenges and opportunities confronting the sector, EFIP’s key priorities, as well as areas of possible cooperation with the DPN. On the other hand,  Dr. Fazekas highlighted the activities of SECI to promote economic and social development in the South East Europe benefiting the Danube Region, and in this context highlighted the potential role of Danube ports as centres for economic and industrial growth.

Equaly important, Capt Bela Szalma - the Chairman of the DPN Advisory Group had provided a Testimonial -- his personal endorsement of the DPN, outlining his views on the need for a platform for better cooperation of the Danube river and sea ports, the rationale for setting the DPN, as well as the benefits of joining the DPN. In her interevention Ms. Janeta Toma,  of PDI - DPN Technical Secretariat, had outlined key initiatives and activities carried out by the Technical Secretariat during the pilot action phase of the DPN.

Last but not least, the participants benefited from an interactive panel discussion which debated perspectives about Danube Region ports’ strategic priorities, challenges and ways forward, as well as benefits of regional port cooperation. Specifically, the debate was geared into issues falling under the key thematic areas of the DPN’s work: sustainable port development & operations, port connectivity – hinterland connections (multi-modal/intermodal), climate & energy, port digitalisation, RTD & Innovation, skilled port labour – education & training, funding and financing.

The discussion was moderated by Manfred Seitz and contributed by Messrs. Béla SZALMA - Hungarian Federation of the Danube Ports, Werner AUER - Ennshafen, Gerhard GUSSMAGG - Rhenus Donauhafen Krems, Anguel ZABOURTOV - Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company , Thomas MOSER - Danube Logistics SRL/Giurgiulesti International Free Port, Alen Jakumetović - Port of Vukovar Authority, and Srđa Lješević - Port Governance Agency.

For more information on the structure of the event and the specific topics discussed, please consult the agenda and relevnt presentations, as follows :

Welcome and introductory remarks by Mr. Manfred Seitz, General Secretary Pro Danube International (PDI)

Overview strategic direction & key initiatives of the DPN

• Intervention by Captain Béla Szalma, Chair Danube Ports Network Advisory Group, President, Hungarian Federation of the Danube Ports
• Intervention by Ms. Janeta Toma, DPN Technical Secretariat

 Keynote speech by Mr. Turi Fiorito, Director European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP)

New technologies are rapidly changing the transport and logistics landscape, hence requesting all transport, logistics and supply chains actors, including inland and sea ports, to be more innovative and agile. Danube ports cannot ignore the rising tide of global digitalisation and port authorities need to prepare for and invest now in their digital future. However, it is often unclear what “digital” means for a port organisation, its core business and the port community at large. Port digitalization it is in fact a long term process which requires port organisations and port stakeholders alike to undergo continuous structural, functional and strategic transformations.

Are ports in the Danube Region prepared for such a transformational journey? What are the pre-requisites and the capabilities needed to enable such a process? What is the role of a port authority to leading such a process and foster a digital culture in its own organisation and at port community level?

To answer these questions and kick-start a more structured debate on port digitalisation, relevant digital trends & technologies in the port domain, the Danube Ports Network has organised within the context of the DAPhNE Project its first thematic conference dedicated to port digitalisation.

Under the title “Danube Ports in the digital age: challenges & opportunities”, the event featured 14 speakers that ranged from leading experts in ICT, digital transformation and innovation in maritime and inland ports and navigation, to transport, logistics, supply chain and automation experts, to EU transport policy and funding experts.

The conference highlighted current EU policies and legislative initiatives to support sea & inland ports digitalisation, showcased how first-movers have responded to the digital challenge and driven the needed change at port organisation and port community level. Digital pioneering European sea and river ports which have played a leading role with respect to port digitalisation, connectivity and smart corridor integration have presented their visions, strategies and business models namely the Port of Barcelona, the Port of Rotterdam, the HAROPA (Le Havre – Rouen - Paris) and the Upper Rhine ports. Furthermore, the conference gave insight into ongoing port digitalisation projects and initiatives -- illustrating how modern communication technologies can help to sustainably optimise the processes and operations of river and sea ports. Last but not least, participants got to experience cutting-edge technologies and innovative digital  solutions for integrated port traffic management, Port Community System and Supply Chain Route Planning during an interactive online workshop run by the Port of Rotterdam.

Presentations

Agenda

Introductory remarks by Dr. Michael PROHASKA, CEO the tean GmbH & Co KG

Introductory remarks by Mr. Nik DELMEIRE, Coordinator European Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) Platform

Session 1: EU policies & legal frameworks enabling digital transformations in the waterborne (river & maritime) transport sector

Item 1.   EU frameworks enabling digital transformations in inland & maritime transport sectors benefiting Danube Region’s port

Item 2.   Corridor RIS implementation: opportunities for Danube region’s ports and terminals

Item 3.   Improving administrative procedures and processes for IWT on the Danube through digital solutions

Session 2: Enabling digital solutions for ports: EU funding schemes & non-legislative tools

Item 4.   EU Funding schemes enabling the development and implementation of digital infrastructure & solutions benefiting ports

Item 5.   EU digital tools enabling digital port developments

     The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Building Blocks

     e-IMPACT| e-Freight Implementation Action

Session 3: Digitalisation at work: pilot projects and best practice examples for Danube Region’s ports

Item 6.   Upper Rhine traffic management platform: presentation and live demo

Item 7.   Smart services for inland ports and IWT – 2 case studies from the projects “SELIS” and “Binntelligent”

Item 8.   The “Smart Corridor” approach of HAROPA (Le Havre – Rouen - Paris) Ports

Session 4: From digital to smart: port digitalisation trends & models

Item 9.  The Smart port model - the port of Barcelona’s perspective

Item 10. Levels of digital maturity of ports, by Port of Rotterdam.

4-5 October 2018, Brussels, Belgium

The conference we will address the current and future challenges on hinterland connections in Europe. 2018 is the European Year of multimodality. How can we boost multimodality in order to achieve smarter, greener and better-connected transport? Moderator Alex Van Breedam, professor in Antwerp and supply chain futurist, will be moderating the 2018 edition.

Further details: https://www.managementproducties.com/en/ports-logistics/inland-terminals/program

2 - 3 October, 2018 Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The conference will bring together key global industry leaders to address the urgent need for contemporary ports to become smarter, better connected, and better integrated to the wider supply chain ecosystem.
Key topics will include: driving smart port performance; analysing the need for technology and infrastructure upgrades; optimal supply chain process planning, collaboration and data integration; trust in data sharing (as powered by blockchain); end-to-end user planning; change management imperatives; and the ubiquitous need for standardization.

Further details: https://www.porttechnology.org/smart_port_supply_chain_technologies