A strategic document for the development of the Danube – Black Sea region has been developed within the DBS Gateway Region project. “Common Vision 2040” defines the joint direction for economic, regional, and logistical development of the region, which will be followed by project partners from all Danube countries, as the desired progress is only possible through joint efforts and a shared vision.
The document was developed based on the Analysis of the Danube and Black Sea Region Potential prepared by Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company, drawing on results from projects such as DaHar, GIFT, INWAPO, ADB, EMPIRIC, and others. It provides clear guidance for the region’s future development – presenting the mission, key objectives, intervention areas, and operational goals set by the partners. Three priorities have been identified: strengthening individual regions, strengthening the entire region as a gateway, and enhancing port development.
The DBS Gateway Region project partners are convinced that the path to improving, developing, and modernizing water transport lies through stimulating business near ports, attracting new cargo flows, transforming Danube ports into modern logistics centers, and utilizing renewable energy and modern technologies. To transform the region into an attractive zone for maritime and inland waterway transport, the river must be brought to good navigational condition, and an internationally recognizable brand must be established for the sustainable multimodal transport route “Danube-Black Sea Gateway Region.” It is also important to maintain high-quality infrastructure along the Danube corridor and develop appropriate infrastructure in ports to transform them into intermodal hubs.
Implementation of Port Community Systems, establishing high-quality connections between Black Sea and Danube ports, improving road and rail infrastructure in port areas, and modernizing storage equipment and facilities are among the project’s other objectives outlined in the strategic document.
Following the maxim “Together we can do more,” project partners believe that removing barriers to water transport development and sustainable regional development will be achieved through long-term cooperation of stakeholders within the cooperation platform. A “Roadmap” is to be developed that will include measures to achieve the objectives of Joint Vision 2040, aiming to transform the Danube-Black Sea region into an attractive gateway region for maritime and inland waterway transport.
The implementation of the project “Regional and Transport Development of the Danube – Black Sea Region towards a Transnational and Multi-Port Gateway Region to the Caspian Region and Far East” (DBS Gateway Region) aims to improve and develop one of the main factors for Bulgarian economic competitiveness – water transport. BPI Co. actively participates in the project, co-financed by the Danube Transnational Cooperation Programme 2014-2020. The lead partner is the Regional Government of Lower Austria.