BASIC PROJECT DATA
Project ID: PA1A173
Project Website: www.fairwaydanube2.eu
STATUS AND TIMEFRAME
Start date: April 2023
End date: December 31st, 2027
FINANCING
Total budget: 69,455,843 EUR
EU funds: 47,142,454.05 EUR are funded by CEF
PROJECT TEAM
Project leader: via donau – Österreichische Wasserstraßen-Gesellschaft
Address: Donau-City-Straße 1, 1220 Vienna, Austria
NEED AND ADDED VALUE FOR THE DANUBE REGION STRATEGY
Effective waterway infrastructure management was defined as a target for Priority Area 1a of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region. The Fairway Rehabilitation and Maintenance Master Plan (FRMMP) sets out the necessary actions in order to reach recommended Levels of Service.
The project FAIRway Danube II is the next implementation phase of the “Fairway Rehabilitation and Maintenance Master Plan of the Danube and its navigable tributaries”, which was developed within the framework of the EU Danube Region Strategy, Priority Area 1a.
OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE PROJECT
The general objectives of the trans-European network are to contribute to:
- Cohesion: through accessibility and connectivity, reduction of infrastructure quality gaps, etc
- Efficiency: through the removal of bottlenecks, interconnection, etc.
- Sustainability: through clean transport, reduction of external costs, etc
- Increased benefits for its users: through meeting transport needs, increased safety, etc.
Specific inland waterways transport infrastructure requirements include (among others) the following targets:
- Comply with the minimum requirements for class IV waterways (ECMT)
- Preserve a good navigation status
FAIRway Danube II aims to improve fairway conditions and shore side infrastructure along the Danube and its navigable tributaries. Under the lead of Austria, the partners of the Danube riparian states SK, HU, HR, RO and BG are joining efforts to monitor fairway conditions, further enhance harmonised measuring parameters and tools, test and validate means to enhance low water resilience and further upgrade mooring places.
PLANNED PROJECT ACTIVITIES
1. Establish Fixed and Mobile Sensors for Measuring the Good Navigation Status (GNS)
FAIRway Danube II aims to ensure the Good Navigation Status (GNS) of the transnational waterway Danube. The Good Navigation Status is crucial for safe and efficient navigation, covering factors like water levels, fairway depths, and bridge clearance. To gather even more information on the fairway conditions on the Danube, advanced fixed and mobile sensors, system upgrades, and cutting-edge tools will be deployed.
Establishment of Fixed Sensors for GNS Monitoring:
- Upgrading sensors at 19 gauging stations. (BG, RO)
- Deployment of 183 buoys with advanced sensors. (HR, RO)
- Installing 11 sensors for vertical bridge clearance. (HU, RO)
Establishment of Mobile Sensors for GNS Monitoring:
- Introducing 3 new surveying vessels. (HU, RO)
- Upgrading sensors for 8 existing surveying vessels. (SK, HU, HR, BG, RO)
- Incorporating 4 aquatic drones. (HU, HR, RO)
- Deployment of 2 aeronautical drones. (HR, RO)
The main goal is to enhance the navigability of the transnational waterway Danube by improving accuracy in fairway depth, water level, and bridge clearance. This ensures a safe and efficient passage for vessels. Moreover, the accuracy of water-level forecasts will be improved as part of the FAIRway Danube II.
2. Upgrade of the National Waterway Management Systems (WAMS) & the Transnational Waterway Monitoring System (WAMOS 2.0)
Efficient and safe navigation along the Danube relies on robust information gathering and processing. The national WAterway Management Systems (WAMS) and the trans-national WAterway MOnitoring System (WAMOS) are the key information hubs for consolidating data and information concerning Good Navigations Status (GNS) along the Danube.
WAMS
Functioning as the backbone for national waterway management the national WAMS collect data from various sources. Under FAIRway Danube II, participating countries upgrade their national systems. This enhancement integrates data from fixed and mobile sensors, as well as external sources, crucial for critical decision-making on national level. As a further step towards harmonised data along the Danube the newly national data will also be feed into the transnational WAterway MOnitoring System (WAMOS).
WAMOS
The trans-national WAMOS collects hydrological and hydrographical data from the riparian Danube Waterway Administrations in one system. It offers a harmonized display and quality of the data along the entire Danube from the border of Germany and Austria to the Black Sea. At the moment WAMOS provides data on river morphology in bottlenecks, fairway availability statistics, water-levels and hydrological conditions.The upgrade to WAMOS 2.0 in FAIRway Danube II represents a step forward in transnational waterway management for enhanced navigational safety and efficiency.The upgrade of the WAMS’s and the enhancement of WAMOS 2.0 will improve the information access and planning reliability for all users on the Danube. All these initiatives actively contribute to attractiveness of inland shipping as a climate-friendly mode of transport.
3. Advancing Planning Reliability: Extended Water-Level Forecast
Water-level forecasts play a pivotal role in logistical decision-making. The dynamic impact of climate change has accelerated water-level fluctuations, emphasizing the need for an extended lead-time to enhance planning reliability. As part of FAIRway Danube II Water-Level Forecast will be enhanced.
Austria and Hungary: Extension of the lead time to 6 days.
Romania and Bulgaria: Extension of the lead time to 7 days.
A feasibility study is underway in collaboration with Austria (AT), Hungary (HU), and Romania (RO) to assess the viability of introducing a midterm forecast extending up to 6 weeks. This ambitious initiative aims to further enhance planning capabilities and adapt to the evolving challenges posed by climate change.
Significance of Extended Water-Level Forecast:
- Improved Logistics Decision-Making and Planning Reliability: Logistics operators heavily rely on water-level forecasts for loading decisions. With an extended lead-time, operators can make more informed and strategic choices, optimizing their logistics operations. This translates to smoother and more efficient transportation of goods.
- Climate Change Adaptation: The accelerated changes in water levels due to climate change necessitate proactive measures. The extended forecast lead-time allows for better preparation and adaptability to dynamic environmental conditions, e.g. by flexible infrastructure elements that increase the fairway depth and can be installed before a projected low water period.
4. Innovative Solutions for Enhanced Climate Resilience: Pilot Projects for Flexible Infrastructure Elements
The free-flowing sections of the Danube, known for their dynamic nature, experience ongoing erosion and sedimentation. Innovative methods have been developed to complement traditional river engineering tools. These methods include changes in sediment management, transporting dredged material upstream, and the creation of artificial islands to increase velocity in shallow sections, providing ecological benefits simultaneously.
However, longer low water periods due to climate change, bring a new challenge for dealing with shallow sections of the Danube. Within the framework of FAIRway Danube II we are pleased to carry out pilot tests for flexible infrastructure elements in shallow sections in the Danube. This innovative approach offers a non-invasive, near natural solution for low water periods, promising an increase in fairway depth.
Based on an technique already used in 1890 the modern interpretation of the flexible infrastructure elements is very promising and will contribute to a more resilient Danube in the future.
The implementation of these projects across Austria, Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria marks a significant step toward achieving sustainable and adaptable waterway management.
Key Objectives and Benefits:
- Climate Change Resilience: The flexibility inherent in these infrastructure elements is designed to adapt to the dynamic challenges posed by climate change. This ensures a robust and resilient system capable of withstanding fluctuations in water levels.
- Near Natural Solution: The innovative approach focuses on non-invasive, near natural solutions, minimizing the impact on habitats and ecosystems.
- Increased Fairway Depth: Anticipated benefits include an enhancement of fairway depth during low water periods, contributing to improved navigational reliability and predictability.
5. Enhancing Safety and Sustainability: Upgrade of Mooring Places in Austria and Romania
As part of the projects ongoing commitment to improving waterway infrastructure on the Danube, a significant upgrade of existing mooring places in Austria and Romania is being done. This initiative aims to enhance the overall quality of these vital infrastructures, focusing on the safety and mobility of crews. Additionally, a strong emphasis will be placed on integrating green energy solutions for shore-power at each mooring place, contributing to our commitment to sustainable practices.
Mooring Place Upgrades in Austria and Romania:
- Port Basarabi – Romania
- Port Medgidia – Romania
- two locations in Aschach – Austria<
