"Shipping does not require the deepening of the Danube to 2,80 meters”

Interview with DDSG Cargo’s managing director Herbert Petschnig.

DDSG Cargo Ges.m.b.h. is the leading enterprise of inland navigation vessels in Western and Central Europe. It belongs to the Regensburger Company Gerhard Meier AG: Their operational area, with a total of 270 cargo ships, spans the Danube, the Main, and the Rhine. With a total share of close to 20 percent, they are the market leader for the transport of goods on the Austrian Danube. WWF PANDA magazine spoke with DDSG Cargo’s managing director, Herbert Petschnig:

WWF: Mr. Petschnig, was your enterprise involved in the development of the Danube East of Vienna?
PETSCHNIG: No, unfortunately not. As experts, we would have liked to offer our know-how pertaining to the needs of inland navigation.

WWF: From an expert’s point of view, does the Danube need a depth of 2,80 meters like the via donau claims, or could the international standard of 2,50m be sufficient for inland navigation?
PETSCHNIG: A guaranteed 2,50m would by all means be sufficient for inland navigation. This would be an ecologically and economically acceptable compromise. A more extensive deepening is not necessary.

WWF: WWF calls for the ships to be adapted to the rivers and not the river to the ships. Is this only a slogan or is it actually feasible?
PETSCHNIG: This is absolutely feasible. DDSG-Cargo is ready to put this plan into motion by lengthening and widening the hulls, which however requires specific capital investments.