via donau – Österreichische Wasserstraßen-Gesellschaft mbH was established in 2005 by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology and was tasked with the maintenance and development of the Danube waterway.
Infrastructure management
via donau ensures the availability of an efficient and reliable waterway infrastructure. This includes the creation and preservation of fairway parameters, the maintenance and repair of the river banks and the on-going provision of hydrographical and hydrological data.
However, via donau is also responsible for numerous ecological river-engineering and re-naturalisation projects. These projects restore the river to its natural course and create new habitats for animals and plants.
The largest project, which equally takes into account the interests of navigation and ecology, is the Integrated River Engineering Project on the Danube to the East of Vienna.
Transport management on the Austrian Danube
With DoRIS – Donau River Information Services – via donau operates an information and management system for navigation on the Austrian part of the Danube. The company also plays a crucial role in the development of the related EU standards and supports the implementation of River Information Services in the whole Danube region.
Transport management also includes the operation of the Danube locks. via donau has also been designated as the competent authority for this task.
Development of inland waterway transport
An increase in the volume of goods transported on the environmentally friendly and cost-efficient Danube waterway requires a comprehensive improvement of basic conditions both in terms of Danube navigation infrastructures and in terms of services.
In cooperation with national and international partners from all across Europe, via donau develops lead projects for modernising and enhancing the attractiveness of Danube navigation.
Flood control
via donau constructs and operates flood control dykes and facilities to protect the residents of the areas concerned. In doing so, via donau is committed to ensuring the greatest possible protection of the environment by taking extensive ecological measures to accompany the projects.
Within the largest flood control construction project of the past few years, via donau is responsible for the reconstruction of the flood control dykes on the river Morava. As the managing office of the Danube Flood Control Agency (Donau Hochwasserschutz-Konkurrenz - DHK), via donau performs important flood control tasks in Lower Austria and Vienna.
Tasks of the OSB
The Supreme Navigation Authority (OSB) can be contacted for all issues regarding navigation on the Danube:
Link: http://www.bmvit.gv.at/verkehr/schifffahrt/binnen/downloads/schauf_pdf.pdf