Stakeholders discussed the main challenges faced by Danube cargo carriers during a working meeting in Ruse under 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. The event took place on June 21, 2017 (Wednesday) in the conference hall of the “Kanev Center”.
The meeting, organized by Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company, was conducted as an open discussion. The problems that businesses encounter in transporting cargo along the river were discussed, as well as potential solutions. Special attention was paid to the stakeholders’ position, as it will significantly contribute to the overall vision and opportunities for future development of the region regarding water transport.
The DBS Gateway Region project manager, Ms. Anna Natova – Director of Project Management at BPI Cо., and representatives of various local institutions discussed measures that should be taken to increase the attractiveness of river transport in the Danube-Black Sea region.
The meeting also presented an analysis of results from other projects related to water transport and port development. The most important recommendation, based on the analysis, is the maintenance and guarantee of minimum fairway levels.
The DBS Gateway Region project aims to support cooperation between ports, port operators, public authorities, universities, businesses, freight forwarders, and others to increase the attractiveness of the Danube River and Black Sea region in terms of maritime and inland waterway transport. The idea is to transform the region into a “gateway” connecting Central Europe and the Black Sea with the Caspian Region and the Far East.
