West Regional Development Agency supports the European initiative "NEWS" regarding energy efficient mobility on the Danube

One of the priorities of the West Region and Romania for the next decade is the development of the Danube habitat, both in terms of tourism and European transport capacity, given that the Rhine-Main-Danube form the 18 corridor of the European Network TEN  -T.

In this context, the West Regional Development Agency (RDA West) will support the preparation and implementation of the Danube Region Strategy 2014-2020 through several regional and international projects and initiatives. The West RDA is a partner in the project entitled "Development of a Next generation European Inland Waterway Ship and Logistics System - NEWS" with a consortium consisting of private companies and universities in Europe.

The project aims to increase the flows of inland waterway transport (especially container transport on the Danube) by developing a new model of container ship for inland waterways and also to develop the logistic system in order to make inland waterways more environmentally efficient, cost and time.

Within the project there will be developed a number of tools for presentation of benefits, costs involved, and all technical aspects necessary to make an investment in upgrading port infrastructure. Also the construction and use of new container ship model (logistic concept, concept to improve port infrastructure, business plan and demonstrations to illustrate the applicability and performance).  

In this regard, the project targeted as beneficiaries: carriers, shipyards and port companies in the Danube Region.

The European Union Strategy for the Danube Region to improve the mobility and intermodality of inland waterway to support its sustainable economic development. The NEWS project and its results will be important tools to support the development of the West Region given that improving intermodal transport will bring significant benefits to the region's strategic economic sectors, notably the automotive sector - one of the most important economic sectors in the region.

Additional information about the project can be found on its website: www.news-FP7