Danube Summit 2010: Shipping partners meet in Linz and Enns

via donau

Josef Weißl (Oberbank), Viktor Sigl (Wirtschaftslandesrat OÖ), Renate Römer (WKO), Christian Steindl (Ennshafen) und Hans-Peter Hasenbichler (via donau) at Danube Summit 2010.

The Danube Summit takes place every two years and brings together the most important transport companies and international organisations to discuss the newest trends and developments in inland navigation. Alongside presentations from various Danube shipping companies and round table discussions, innovative new logistic solutions and opportunities will also be unveiled.

Renate Römer, Vice President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, points out that despite the current economic crisis “in the future it must be assumed that goods transport will continue to increase” therefore it is important “to push hard for sustainable transport alternatives which still have adequate capacity such as rail and above all waterways. The Chamber of Commerce therefore strongly supports the promotion of Danube shipping within the framework of the EU strategy for the Danube Region.  

For Viktor Sigl, Economics Minister for Upper Austria, the Danube is “an important and effective transport alternative”. For the business location of Upper Austria, an increase in capacity for the Danube as a carrier of traffic also represents a crucial investment in competitiveness. Locally based shipping companies will profit from an increase in utilisation of the Danube waterway through transport cost savings and a better connection with the international transport network. He continues, “With regard to targets for energy use and lower resource consumption, Danube Navigation has ample free capacity and is the most environmentally friendly and effective mode of transport.”  

For the host Christian Steindl, Chief Executive of EHG Ennshafen (Port of Enns) Upper Austria, and DI Hans-Peter Hasenbichler, Chief Executive of via donau, it is a good opportunity to present “Austria and especially Linz and Enns as a logistics hub and business location.  

As a partner of the Danube Summit, the Oberbank is demonstrating its faith in Danube Navigation by expanding throughout the six regions along the Danube. Dr. Josef Weissl MA, an Executive Board Member of the Oberbank stresses the Danube’s importance “We perceive the Danube region as a European hub and increasing mobility on the Danube as an important motor for economic growth.   

The innovative and futuristic redevelopment of the Port of Enns is intended to play a major part in this strategy. For Christian Steindl, CEO for the Port of Enns, the aim is to attract the transportation of higher value goods – e.g. from the car industry – onto the Danube waterway, thereby reducing the burden on rail and road networks. For the shipping industry, The Danube waterway is a reliable and indispensable partner. In 2009 around 9.3 million goods (-16.8%) were transported safely and silently along the Austrian segment of the Danube. The yearly average of availability of shipping, taken over a number of years, is 360 days per year (see diagrams 1-3).  

To coincide with the Danube Summit, via donau is presenting its annual report for Danube Shipping. This is the third successive publication of the annual report and provides an insight into the decision and policy makers from business and politics as well as current data relating to Danube shipping. DI Hans-Peter Hasenbichler, CEO for via donau, states “The annual report draws attention to the diversity of the Danube waterways as well as to knowledge of shipping on the Danube and its ecosystems.

To find out more about this event: » www.danubesummit.com

Press photos: » www.cityfoto.at  

Contact  
Ennshafen OÖ GmbH
Mag. Christian Steindl
Donaustraße 3, 4470 Enns, Upper Austria 
Phone +43 7223 84151-131
» office   ennshafen.at
» www.ennshafen.at

Contact 
via donau – Österreichische Wasserstraßen-Gesellschaft mbH
Mag. Eva Michlits
Donau-City-Straße 1, 1220 Vienna 
Phone +43 664 808 42 1400
» presse   via-donau.org
» www.via-donau.org