Working group on technical matters (5-6 November 2025)
The meeting of the working group on technical matters, convened in accordance with section C. of the Danube Commission’s work plan for the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 (doc. DC/102/OP/5/1), met from 5 to 6 November 2025 in a hybrid format under the chairmanship of Bernd Birklhuber (Austria).
The meeting was attended by the delegations from the DC Member States, as well as representatives of international organisations, counsellors and experts of the DC Secretariat.
In his opening statement, the Director General of the Secretariat, Manfred Seitz, emphasized that the meeting was taking place amid Russia’s ongoing military aggression against Ukraine, in which people were constantly being killed and industrial and civilian infrastructure destroyed, and expressed his gratitude for the high attendance of the Ukrainian delegation despite the adverse circumstances.
The delegation of Ukraine made a statement on new violations of the regime of free and safe navigation on the Danube in the context of continuing systematic massive air attacks by Russian aggressors on regions and infrastructure of Ukrainian Danube ports.
In line with the approved agenda, the working group addressed several topics across its main sections.
The section “Navigation” focused on monitoring the implementation of the DFND-2023 in Danube navigation , the updating of the “Local Rules for Danube Navigation”, and the strategic development of RIS systems in Danube navigation. Professional requirements for crew and vessel personnel were dealt with separately, within the framework of monitoring the implementation of Directive (EC) 2017/2397 in Danube navigation. This included involvement in relevant Pan-European activities related to the development of CESNI/QP standards defining new competencies for crews of inland navigation vessels.
Under the section “Technology, including radio communication”, discussions focused on the implementation of the ES-TRIN standard in Danube navigation and the Danube Commission’s involvement in updating this standard within the CESNI/PT Committee. Attention was also given to the application of the new version of the “Manual on radiotelephone service on navigable inland waterways, Regional part – the Danube”, cooperation with the RAINWAT Committee, and the participation of the Secretariat in the meeting of the ADN Safety Committee.
In considering the issue of ensuring the security of navigation on the Danube, information was presented regarding the ongoing work on the current version of the “DC Recommendations for Ensuring the Security of Navigation on the Danube”, taking into account the outcomes of the Expert Meeting on Security in Inland Water Transport (March 2025).
Regarding the fleet modernisation and measures to reduce air pollution from inland waterway transport, the Secretariat gave an update on the draft Roadmap for the Modernisation of the Danube Inland Waterway Transport Fleet (version – November 2025, a discussion paper). This document proposes possible scenarios for the gradual reduction of harmful emissions, the achievement of climate neutrality by transitioning to alternative fuels and the improvement of fleet energy efficiency. Participants were also briefed on the results of the thematic workshops on actions to achieve zero emissions on the Danube organized by the DC Secretariat in cooperation with Priority Area 1a of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region on 8 October 2024 and 12 May 2025.
An important step forward was the submission of the draft “Roadmap and actions towards zero-emission Danube fleet”, outlining politically and economically feasible solutions for the consistent reduction of CO₂ emissions.
The section “Hydrotechnics and hydrometeorology” focused on updating the “Plan for major works on the achievement of recommended fairway parameters, hydrotechnical and other facilities on the Danube”, navigation conditions in critical stretches, and the monitoring of annual maintenance of navigation. Attention was also given to the impact of climate change on inland navigation and the corresponding adaptation of hydraulic engineering works on the Danube, as well as the preparation of special DC publications on the hydrology of the Danube waterway.
The section “Operation and Ecology” focused on the results of the 16th joint meeting of the three Commissions: the Danube Commission (DC), the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) and the International Sava River Basin Commission (ISRBC) on the follow-up of the Joint Statement on Guiding Principles on the Development of Inland Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Danube River Basin, held on 22 October 2025. It was noted that the Joint Statement JS 2.0 document has entered into force and was officially handed over to the newly appointed coordinator of the TEN-T/Rhine-Danube Corridor, Ms Margarida Marques.
In this section, several issues were addressed, including participation in international projects for the environmental protection of the Danube Basin, involvement in cross-border cooperation projects within the TEN-T network, and the implementation of DAVID forms in Danube navigation. The Working Group took note that DAVID electronic forms have now been integrated into the CEERIS system. A significant range of issues was addressed concerning the strategic development of freight and passenger transport, ports (including the future European Port Strategy), and logistics services on the Danube.
The section “Statistics and Economics” focused on the preparation of the DC working documents on economic analysis and statistics, namely the Report on the Market Observation for Danube Navigation – results of the first half of 2025, and the Statistical Yearbook for 2023.
The section “Grants. Projects” focused on the project reports, where the DC acts as a participant – GRANT III, HORIZON EUROPE -PLATINA 4, and DIVINE project.