Aschach a. d. Donau: Following the dry goods mooring place in Linz in 2021, the Wildungsmauer small craft mooring place in 2023 and the Brigittenau II mooring place in Vienna in 2024, viadonau is continuing its consistent modernisation programme on the Austrian Danube with the EU co-financed international project ‘FAIRway Danube II’. On 17 October, construction began on the complete renovation of two highly frequented mooring places in Aschach an der Donau, together with representatives of the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI), the province of Upper Austria, the municipality and the business community. Shore side electricity supply, photovoltaics and secure access options ensure a further sustainable infrastructure upgrade for cargo shipping.
A well-developed waterway strengthens Europe's sustainable transport transition. The measures for the renovation of the mooring facilities in Aschach are co-financed by the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) as part of the ‘FAIRway Danube II’ project. ‘FAIRway Danube II’ is a transnational project coordinated by viadonau with the participation of Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania. Photo: © viadonau/Zinner
Great interest in modern waterway infrastructure (from left to right): Provincial Councillor Stefan Kaineder, MEP Roman Haider, Member of the Provincial Parliament Astrid Zehetmair, viadonau Managing Director Hans-Peter Hasenbichler, Provincial Councillor Günther Steinkellner, viadonau Supervisory Board Member Petra Riffert, viadonau Project Manager Lea Dosser, Aschach Mayor Dietmar Groiss, Pro Danube Austria President Lisa-Maria Putz-Egger and Felbermayr Managing Director Bernhard Strasser, photo: © viadonau/Zinner
The newly upgraded mooring places in Aschach will offer: access bridges for ship crews and cars, shore side electricity including PV systems, photo: © viadonau/Zinner
Safe, quiet, sustainable – responsible ship operation also applies to ‘parked’ shipping. In the holistic and future-oriented development of the Danube as an environmentally friendly and efficient mode of transport, viadonau is committed to creating the best possible conditions for shipping in all ‘situations’. The central objectives of the modernisation of the mooring palces are: more efficient ship operation during layovers, reduction of noise emissions, clean energy supply with shore side electricity and thus an overall sustainable contribution to achieving the EU climate targets.
Greater safety for ship crews
To ensure optimal docking and undocking operations for cargo ships and safe access for ship crews, 14 dolphins are currently being installed in the riverbed on the Danube in Aschach for the ‘Lände Aschach’ and three for the ‘Öffentliche Lände Aschach’, thus creating the basis for safe access and entry.
Less noise and emissions
Shore side electricity systems are also being installed at the mooring places. These ensure that parked ships do not have to run their noisy diesel generators, but can simply draw clean electricity. In addition, photovoltaic systems will be installed, which can also cover the electricity requirements on board in an environmentally friendly manner. Together, these two measures represent a sustainable quality improvement for ship operations, from which both nature and local residents will benefit equally.
Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure Peter Hanke sees the consistent upgrading of the Danube as a climate-friendly transport alternative and explains: "In times of climate change, it is important to make the best possible use of innovative solutions and environmentally friendly alternatives. The better the infrastructural conditions in terms of safety, energy supply and modern usability for shipping are today, the greater the potential of the waterway for tomorrow's transport traffic."
Upper Austria's Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Markus Achleitner, who was represented on site by Member of the Provincial Parliament Astrid Zehetmair, emphasises the positive effects for the economy and tourism: “The modernisation of the waterway increases the safety of shipping operations and thus supports positive transport development on the Danube as a whole. This benefits the economy in particular. At the same time, the switch to shore side electricity also sustainably strengthens the important tourism and leisure region in the Danube area.”
Upper Austria's Infrastructure Minister Günther Steinkellner: “When transport routes become safer and more efficient, that's good news. With the modernisation of the mooring places, that is exactly what is happening on the Danube. The Danube is an environmentally friendly and efficient mode of transport that has the potential to relieve road traffic and complement rail transport.”
Improving air quality is a priority for Stefan Kaineder, Upper Austria's Regional Minister for the Environment and Climate Protection: "The expansion of shore side electricity at Upper Austrian mooring places along the Danube is progressing steadily. This is not only an important climate protection measure, as it saves millions of litres of marine diesel, but also great news for local residents. This is because it significantly reduces air pollution. The new shore side electricity systems are a huge step forward and a measure with enormous savings potential."
Dietmar Groiss, Mayor of Aschach an der Donau, is delighted with the modernisation of the mooring places in the market town: “Less noise and fewer exhaust fumes thanks to an environmentally friendly energy alternative at the upgraded mooring places – that's two pieces of good news for our residents in Aschach. I am delighted that Aschach is the second municipality in Upper Austria after Linz to receive such a showcase project on the waterway.”
“With the consistent modernisation of the waterway, which we are continuing here in Aschach, we are strengthening the backbone of inland waterway transport. In doing so, we are not only increasing its attractiveness as an efficient transport option, but also providing a strong answer to the question of sustainable transport solutions in the European transport network with state-of-the-art infrastructure coupled with the unrivalled high capacities of inland waterway vessels”, says viadonau Managing Director Hans-Peter Hasenbichler, who once again makes it clear that the path to an environmentally friendly transport future for Europe must lead via waterways.
Lisa-Maria Putz-Egger, President of Pro Danube Austria and Professor at FH OÖ Logistikum, adds: "In order to make the most of the Danube's potential, one thing is needed above all: reliability. The modernisation of the mooring places is a further step in this direction. The waterway must be integrated into the logistics chain and anchored in people's minds as a sustainable mode of transport."
The measures for the renovation of the mooring places in Aschach are co-financed by the European Union's ‘FAIRway Danube II’ project via the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). ‘FAIRway Danube II’ is a transnational project coordinated by viadonau with the participation of Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania. The project contributes to improving the navigational conditions on the Danube.
Photo gallery of the press event
