Overview
Using waterways as one of the oldest forms of transport was not very popular in the recent past. However in recent years shifting goods from the road in favour of ships is estimated as a growing market with high potential.
The main aims of the programme are:
- to develop high-quality transport and logistics services for the Danube waterway in order to encourage freight traffic to shift from road to waterways
- to engage in technology projects aimed at improving the competitive situation of the navigation industry
- to engage in public relations work and lobbying in favour of the Danube waterway
The programme comprises the development of studies and concepts for all forms of intermodal transport and the implementation of regular scheduled transport services for combined transportation modes.
The Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology founded the company, Donau Transport und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (called Via Donau for short) in 1999. As a technology and assistance organisation, Via Donau will support the public authorities in their task of implementing transportation, technology and economic policy goals.
Via Donau will also function as a professional partner for the transport, logistics and navigation industries by offering innovative services relating to logistics and technology projects. The aim is to promote the application of modern technologies to help to make Danube navigation competitive.
Funding
The whole programme has a budget of EUR 5 million.
Natural persons, legal persons and commercial partnerships which have their headquarters in Austria are eligible for funding. Local authorities are not eligible. Depending upon the subject these include in particular transport and logistics companies.
The implementation of regular scheduled transport services for combined transportation modes is funded on the basis of the individual carried containers.
Studies and Concepts which aims to create, improve and enlarge regular scheduled transport services for combined transportation modes are funded by up to 50%.