Removing Barriers: River Navigation

Development that threatens vital ecosystems is unsustainable. This also holds true for inland navigation that is an increasing threat to invaluable freshwater areas world-wide. Inland navigation is undergoing technological change and renewal that considerably increases the chances for ecologically compatible river navigation.

In the 1960's the objective was the development of waterways for larger vessels with higher loaded draughts carrying few bulk goods (especially on the Danube, download factsheet, DOC: 35.0 KB). Today, new shipbuilding technologies as well as new information and communication systems offer the possibility to increase both productivity and interest of inland navigation independent of massive interventions in the river landscape.

In 1996, "Directive number 1692/96/EG of the European Parliament and the Council dating July 23rd 1996 on common guidelines for the establishment of a transeuropean transport network" was passed. The purpose of this directive is the establishment of a common framework for the co-ordination of the expansion of transport networks in every member state. Provision of funds, setting of priorities and implementation are still incumbent on the individual member states.

One of the most recent threats is Ukraine's decision to build the Bystroye Canal in spite of protests by neighbouring communities fearing the destruction of the Danube Delta.

WWF is calling on the EU to protect the Danube River from overexploitation and plans to develop inland shipping and urges the government of Ukraine and the European Commission to stop further construction works on the Ukrainian Danube–Black Sea Canal.