The Federal Waterways Act (Federal Law Gazette I No. 177/2004) governs the tasks and services to be supplied by via donau. It forms the legal basis of all (planned) activities of the company.

As laid down in the Federal Waterways Act, via donau fulfils all tasks of the Federal authorities in terms of planning, awarding and monitoring river-engineering projects. The regulation, preservation and development of waters as well as flood control facilities are of particular importance in the via donau service portfolio.

All measures relating to bodies of water are to be nature-oriented and should be taken in such a way that the environment is protected to the largest possible extent. Waterways are to be planned, constructed and maintained in such a way that they can be safely used by all users in accordance and compliance with the shipping law.

via donau measures, collects and processes hydrographical data, thereby creating the key water management data required by the federal authorities. The company also takes on the administrative agenda of the Danube Flood Control Agency (DHK) and the development of inland waterway transport both on a national and international level.

In the development of inland waterway transport particular focus is placed on increasing the volumes of cargo transport and intermodal transport as well as on developing and implementing new technology and systems for inland waterways (of River Information Services in particular).

via donau performs sovereign functions in the areas of lock supervision (all nine locks along the Austrian Danube as well as the Nussdorf lock), weir supervision and water supervision.

The strategic planning, controlling and monitoring of the administration of federal waterways continues to rest with the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology.

Downloads:

• Bundesgesetz über Aufgaben und Organisation der Bundes- Wasserstraßenverwaltung – Wasserstraßengesetz (Federal act on the functions and organisation of the Federal Waterways Administration – Federal Waterways Act)
  (2004 | German | PDF | 88 KB)