Austria's section of the Danube is about 350 km long with the riverbed surmounting more than 150m in height difference throughout the country. The resulting energy potential is used by nine hydroelectric stations for the generation of energy from waterpower. To tackle differences in height, ships have to pass through locks at each of the nine stations with trouble-free and service-oriented lock operation being yet another key element in a fully functioning waterway infrastructure.

In accordance with the provisions of the Waterway Act, the Navigation Act and the Lock Supervision Regulation, via donau is responsible for lock supervision and lock traffic management at all locks along the Danube as well as the Nussdorf lock on the Danube Canal while AHP Austrian Hydro Power has possession of and responsibility for the locks.