Regional Economic Assessment of Secondary Danube Ports

This papers is about the background and the main findings of a study carried out in the Danube basin (Europe). The Danube which flows through 10 European countries still is one of the most important inland waterways in Europe. Since the fall of the iron curtain in 1989 the economic environment around Danube ports changed dramatically. This ranges from ownership structure up to demand in services. Decline of demand in Danube navigation for several reasons resulted in having free capacities and idle infrastructure in ports. The study focused on analyzing the regional socio-economic framework and possible future potentials of small Danube ports (ports which are not located in a capital). The main result concludes that there is a lack in cooperation and information and consequently suggests the implementation of an internet based information platform which should be operated by an independent provider.