smart rivers' 21 is a joint initiative among organisations from Unites States and Europe active in the field of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT). Inland waterways provide a significant transport capacity mostly under-utilized, while road and rail transport increasingly lacks on sufficient capacity (especially near big cities). The 4th smart rivers' 21 conference focuses on trends, policy, technology and science in relation to IWT with worldwide attendance of visitors, speakers and exhibitors.

Event Programe click HERE

The Conference was opened by His Excellency Mr. Traian Basescu, President of Romania who referred in his speech to his initiative for the Constanta – Rotterdam logistics corridor already back in 1992 as well as the clear potential and need for all Danube and Rhine riparian states to collaborate on furthering the potential of inland water transport, with especially a need for modernized multi-modal terminals.

With a wide range of speakers from all parts and aspects in the logistic chain, this conference showed the complexity of developing a prosperous and efficient logistics system in any country in the world. For all participants it was clear that security and customs aspects are as important as infrastructure and multi-modal facilities.

• The Fourth Danube Summit was held in Constanta from 4-6 June 2008, with over 275 participants from all Danube riparian countries and from all market sectors participating.

• The overall message, voiced both in presentations and by participants, is the call for action.

• Action focused on the development of both IWT and rail.

• Action focused on the implementation of trade and transport supportive measures and operations.

• With evidence of operators being prepared to put investment into equipment, as demonstrated by the presentations at the Summit, there is a real chance to transfer the well know opportunities for the Danube (IWT & Rail) Corridor into reality.

• With evidence of increasing volumes transported to and from SEE, congestions in West European ports and with increasing number of companies considering to develop production and assembly activities in SEE, there is a demand ready to be facilitated by the Danube Corridor modes of transport. However, there exist today various deterrents to the greater use of the Danube Corridor.

• The conclusions of the Summit were that to transfer opportunities into reality the following implementation measures are required at the earliest opportunity (in order of priority - see over):

With just two weeks to go, international shipping conference and exhibition Danube Summit 2008 already received some 200 delegate registrations from 130 companies and 18 countries.

25 Companies from Romania, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Cyprus will exhibit in the Danube Summit 2009.