Daniel Georgescu, general manager of Romania's Navigable Canals Administration S.A. - Container shipping still challenge for development of future cooperation

(Daniel Georgescu)

Navigable canals Danube-Black Sea and Poarta Alba-Midia Navodari, through the connection they make between the river traffic and maritime traffic with the port of Constanta, is in fact an objective that highlights the entire Trans-European waterways system, Rhine-Danube. Danube-Black Sea Canal connects the Danube with the maritime port of Constanta, shortening with 400 km the goods route from the Black Sea to Danube ports in Central Europe. In addition, using this route, the goods traffic from Australia and the Far East for Central Europe shortens its way with about 4000 km, compared to the Suez Canal-North Sea route, explains Daniel Georgescu, the general manager of Navigable Canals Administration S.A.

How was the collaboration with Serbian partners?

- Starting with the 90’s, the traffic to and from Serbia increased considerably, Serbian partners being some of the main beneficiaries of naval transport infrastructure managed by the Navigable Canals Administration S.A. On the waterways not only ships navigating under Serbian flag have transited but other vessels that carried cargos of Serbian origins or to Serbian destinations. Navigable Canals Administration S.A. runs relationships with PLOVPUT Administration from Serbia since 2009, when, together with other 9 companies that manages the waterway along the Danube, have implemented the "Network of Danube Waterway Administrations" (NEWADA) project.PLOVPUT is administratively responsible for the maintenance and development of international and interstate waterways of Serbia (Danube, Sava and Tisa). The collaboration between C.N.A.C.N.S.H and PLOVPUT continued after the project NEWADA completion with a new project started in 2012. NEWADA DUO (Network of Danube Waterway Administrations - Data and Customer Orientation) is proof of the success of the collaboration between the two administrations who come from different countries with different legislation, but having a common interest, namely to support the waterway users by harmonizing procedures and Danube maintenance processes. I would like to mention that NEWADA duo project was done financing EU funds through Transnational Cooperation Programme South - East Europe (SEE ).

What is the collaboration evolution of the company that you manage with partners in Serbia?

(Agigea lock)

- It is a great joy for me to emphasize that since 2011 and until now Serbia has held the top spot in terms of volumes transported on the Danube-Black Sea Canal and on the Poarta Alba – Midia Navodari Canal. Given the trade relations history of cooperation between the Navigable Canals Administration S.A. and representatives of various companies from Serbia, as well as the interests of the economic agents in regards to services that are part of the activity of the company, since 2013 in order to facilitate Serbian-Romanian section collaboration , our company has appointed a representative in Serbia, through which several promotional activities have been carried out, to help maintain beneficiaries partnership.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for future cooperation with Serbian partners?

- I believe that is necessary to continue the European projects, linking the Black Sea Strategy with the Danube Region Strategy, strategies within which Navigable Canals Administration that I am honored to represent, plays an important role. In this context I would like to underline the factor "partnership", which is a key element in any strategy for future economic and social development of the Danube and Black Sea region, attribute in which I believe and always apply. I note that a great challenge for developing the future collaborative relationships still remains the container traffic, given the fact that lines of containers to and from Serbia are not found with a great share in the transit on the Danube-Black Sea Canal. In the end, I have the honor to congratulate the Serbian partners for their work, also I encourage them to still involve in the creation and development of ship traffic, assuring them of my and the Navigable Canals Administration support.

Event for partners

Romania's Navigable Canals Administration S.A. is going to organize an event in Holiday Inn Hotel in Belgrade on November 11 to present its activities to partners from Serbia. This event will also be the right place to determine concrete steps in future cooperation with partners.