An Assessment of the Opportunities and Risks of Container Transport on the Danube River between Austria and the Black Sea
In contrast to other rivers in Europe, the volume of container shipments on the Danube has not been of much significance up to now. In the light of the double digit growth rates in the global transport of goods and the chronic capacity bottlenecks at Europe's major ports and connecting routes in their hinterland, now would be the right time for establishing container transport along the Danube. This study confirms this assessment: the cost benefits of using inland vessels specialised in container transport are significant. A look at the entire supply chain for Europe-Asia shipments shows that the frequently mentioned setback of long transport times is not that severe. Moreover, as the environmental impact balance is good, a win-win situation is possible for all actors.
Chapter 1 – Starting Situation
- Enormous growth of container volumes
- Capacity bottlenecks at major sea ports and congested hinterland routes
- Success Stories of inland navigation in Western Europe
- Developments in the Black Sea area and in Constanta
Chapter 2 – Market and Peer Analysis
- Existing overseas container volumes of Austria, Hungary and Slovakia
- Railway rates for shuttle-train connections North Range and Adria
- Macro-economic analysis of cargo flows
- Potential container volumes for Danube navigation (2010/2015/2020)
Chapter 3 – Inland Navigation Concept
- Framework of Danube navigation: Locks, border crossings, inland port and Black Sea Canal fees
- Detailed description of a container liner service between Krems and Constanta in terms of duration, cost and capacity
- Base scenario (conventional vessels, double stack) vs. optimised scenario (adapted container vessels, triple stack)
Chapter 4 – Analysis of Supply Chain Krems-Shanghai
- Deep-sea voyage to Hamburg plus Hinterland connection via shuttle train vs. Constanta plus Danube navigation
- Assessment in terms of duration, cost and environmental balance
- Target group ocean carriers: Results of interviews in Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade
Chapter 5 – Conclusions and Recommendations
Next steps: Beginning with September 2006, via donau disseminates the final report of the COLD study to interested actors and coordinates further in-depth analyses with potential operators. via donau will give advice on Danube navigation questions and support of funding requests. In order to successfully deal with those subjects, via donau will continue the cooperation with Constantza Port Administration and Alexandru Capatu.
Contact:
Gerhard Gussmagg
via donau – Österreichische Wasserstraßen-Gesellschaft mbH
Tel: +43 5 04321 1617
gerhard.gussmagg via-donau.org
Alexandru Capatu
Tel : 43 1 729 6700
navromsa_ag utanet.at
Download of study
COLD Final Report (English language) | |
COLD Endbericht (German language) | |
Presentation "Results of the COLD-Study - Opportunities and risks for container transports on the Danube" | |
Presentation "Ergebnisse der COLD-Studie: Chancen und Risken für Container-Liniendienste auf der Donau" | |
Presentation "Container Services between Austria and Constanta - Developments following publication of the COLD-Study" |
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