1. Activities of the Danube Commission (DC)
Alexander F. Stemmer Budapest, September 17th, 2013
Danube Commission, Budapest

2. Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
ACTIVITIES OF THE DC
derive from the tasks specified in Art. 8 of the Belgrade Convention from 1948 regarding the regime of navigation on the Danube
define the plan of big works on the Danube river
development of a unified system of signals and pilot services
harmonisation of rules
coordination of hydrometeorigical data
deliver advice, recommendations
provide statistical data on Danube navigation
publications
As facilitator/ service provider/ working platform of the DC and to carry out the above tasks, the secretariat of the DC has been established in accordance with Art. 9 of the Belgrade Convention (BC)
Workshop a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
Budapest, September 17th, 2013

3. Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
ACTIVITIES OF THE DC
Having in view its tasks, the DC is actively cooperating with the help of its secretariat in various international fora primarily on:
professional matters of navigation
safety of navigation
development of navigation infrastructure
fleet matters
environmental issues
At the same time DC is since the 90‘s engaged in an internal reform process of its conventional base.
Workshop a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
Budapest, September 17th, 2013

4. Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
ACTIVITIES OF THE DC
on international scale
UNECE – Geneva
Inland Transport Committee,
WP Inland Water,
WP on standardization of technical and safety requirements
WP on Transport Statistics
Joint meeting of experts on ADN
CEVNI Expert Group
regional economic and transport organisations
RAINWAT – Regional Arrangement on Communication on inland waterways
BSEC – Black Sea Economic Cooperation Org. – sectorial partnership
Workshop a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
Budapest, September 17th, 2013

5. Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
ACTIVITIES OF THE DC
on EU scale
DG Mobility and Energy - MOVE,
focussing on common activities or WGs on professional and training standards in inland navigation( to be revised according to Directive 96/50/EC)
Inland navigation related projects financed and conducted by EU programs like: EUSDR(steering commitee Area 1a – Inland Water Transport), NAIADES, PLATINA, NEWADA, WANDA, DaHar, NELI etc.
EUSDR as an example:
DC contributed a package of proposals with regard to the plan of major works on the Danube river and its recommendations on minimum requirements for standard fairway parameters etc. on the Danube. Also a list of national infrastructure projects has been submitted to the EU.
Workshop a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
Budapest, September 17th, 2013

6. Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
ACTIVITIES OF THE DC
European River Commissions
CCNR, ISRBC, ICPDR, Moselle Commission
- A renowned joint statement on guiding principles for the development of inland navigation and environmental protection in the danube river basin has been agreed with ICPDR and ISRBC!
other International River Commissions
Mekong River Commission,
Niger Basin Commission,
Oranje River Commission
Workshop a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
Budapest, September 17th, 2013

7. Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
ACTIVITIES OF THE DC
DC‘s secretariat aims to be present in various circles to contribute wherever discussions go about internal navigation in Europe and on the Danube river.
In doing so the main focus and stress is laid on the
harmonisation of rules
improvement of navigation standards
support in managing infrastructural challenges on the river
dialogue with the stakeholders of Internal Navigation in Europe
Problems?
Secretariat‘s role for the implementation of the provisions of the BC
Plenty of experience, but lack of accessible funds to unblock bottlenecks in the time of financial crises
Workshop a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
Budapest, September 17th, 2013

8. Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
ACTIVITIES OF THE DC
To fulfill a prominent task – Publications - DC has to provide, on the basis of members‘ data contributions, a lot of (print) materials for the navigation sector.
maps, indicators, statistics, requirements for personnel etc.
market observation ( in future?)
website information,
integrated interactive electronic mapping ( tbd)
electronic data bases(tbd)
Most publications are also available electronically following a growing users‘ demand.
Workshop a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
Budapest, September 17th, 2013

9. DC will have to follow on this way!
ACTIVITIES OF THE DC
In conclusio:
DC is today more and more involved in European internal navigation programs
The rising number of internat. projects or initiatives shows a growing demand for coordination – but to some extent also lack of orientation in IN!
Therefore more international coordination is needed
More exchange, communication and reference between policymakers and market users needs to be stimulated.
DC will have to follow on this way!
Workshop a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
Budapest, September 17th, 2013

10. Thank you for your attention!
Alexander F. STEMMER
Deputy Director-General for Administration and Finance
Secretariat of the Danube Commission
H-1068 Budapest
Benczur utca 25
Workshop a prosperous future for the Danube navigation
Budapest, September 17th, 2013