On 26 and 27 November 2024, the Joint Advisory Committee meeting of the FAIRway Danube II took place in Vienna, marking a significant milestone in celebrating the achievements of the flagship project during its first 20 months. The event also recognised the successful completion of its predecessor projects: FAIRway works! in the Rhine-Danube Corridor and Preparing FAIRway 2 works in the Rhine-Danube Corridor. These initiatives, led by the Austrian Ministry of Climate Action and viadonau, are co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) of the European Union.

The meeting featured a comprehensive agenda, including informative presentations on project achievements, an engaging panel discussion, and a working dinner on 26 November. On the following morning, participants visited a newly upgraded mooring place in Vienna, showcasing one of the project’s key accomplishments.

The IWT Platform, represented by its Executive Director on the Advisory Committee, commended the project’s efforts to enhance the navigability and reliability of the Danube River. Key accomplishments included:

  • Demonstration of pilot flexible infrastructure elements designed to improve resilience during low water periods.
  • Upgraded mooring facilities along the Danube, providing enhanced infrastructure for inland navigation.

Led by viadonau, the project partners have achieved significant progress in fostering cross-border cooperation, laying the foundation for the future implementation of critical works.

This meeting underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing inland waterway transport in Europe and highlighted the strides being made to ensure sustainable improvements in the Rhine-Danube Corridor.

Preparing FAIRway 2 Works Project Overview

With a budget of €3.3 million, the Preparing FAIRway 2 Works project brought together the Ministries of Transport from Austria, Croatia, and Serbia, coordinated by viadonau, with the Port Authority of Vukovar leading the mooring infrastructure efforts in Croatia.

Website: www.preparingfairway2.org

Addressing Navigational Bottlenecks (Shared Croatian-Serbian Danube Section)

  • Monitoring Activities:
    Comprehensive monitoring (2023–mid-2024) was conducted along the 140 km Croatian-Serbian Danube section (rkm 1433.1–1295.5). This resulted in a detailed inventory of navigational and environmental characteristics, including a robust biodiversity catalogue for this ecologically sensitive region. Digitalized data is now available for follow-up projects and shared with relevant national authorities managing NATURA 2000 and WFD.
  • Hydraulic Modelling:
    Hydraulic modelling identified 13 critical bottlenecks, down from 17 previously reported, reflecting improvements in some areas. Prioritised sites—such as Apatin, Civutski Rukavac, and Aljmaš—were recommended for advanced 2D modelling and development of potential solutions to address remaining navigational challenges. The Low and High Navigation Water Levels (LNWL/ENR and HNWL) were recalculated and used for further modelling and bottleneck identification.

Waterway Monitoring System (WAMOS)

The Waterway Monitoring System (WAMOS), developed during the first FAIRway project, has been further enhanced. Integrating data from Danube riparian Waterway Administrations, the new functionalities defined in detail include e.g., bridge clearance and discharge data, dredging management modules, traffic density mapping, AIS-based navigation aids, ecological overlays for Natura 2000 areas. It is also planned that this valuable data will be share with stakeholders through RIS systems such as EuRIS, after being implemented in the FAIRway Danube II.

Stakeholder Coordination

A Stakeholder Coordination Concept was developed to strengthen cooperation between waterway administrations and the inland waterway transport (IWT) sector. It includes practical tools, checklists, and guidelines for effective communication and engagement.

Mooring Infrastructure Studies

Studies in Austria, Croatia, and Serbia assessed and proposed upgrades to mooring infrastructure:

  • Austria: Five (5) mooring locations were identified for upgrades—in Aschach, Krems and Vienna. Plans for Öffentliche Lände Aschach and Aschach have been submitted for permits, with implementation planned next year (2025) under FAIRway Danube II.
  • Croatia: Recommendations focused on Vukovar (Danube) and Slavonski Brod (Sava), with follow-up activities for Vukovar progressing under FAIRway Danube II.
  • Serbia: Priority upgrades include Belgrade, Novi Sad (Danube), and Sremska Mitrovica, Belgrade (Sava).