UNIVERSITY OF RUSE "ANGEL KANCHEV"
UNION OF SCIENTISTS - RUSE

Proceedings 2025

FRI-20.21-1-SITSTL-13

METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF GUARANTEED FAIRWAY DEPTH ON THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF INTERMODAL FREIGHT TRANSPORT INVOLVING LOWER DANUBE RIVER LEG

Language: BGPages: 96–101

Assist. Prof. Boril Ivanov, PhD

Department of Transport “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse

E-mail: bivanov@uni-ruse.bg

Abstract: The lower leg of the Danube River is characterised by dynamic hydrography and, due to the absence of hydrotechnical infrastructure solutions, fluctuating water levels frequently result in insufficient fairway depths. The inability to guarantee a minimum fairway depth throughout the year affects both the quality and cost of shipping. Hindrances to navigation have a negative impact particularly on intermodal transportation services using inland waterways where maintaining timetable is of crucial importance. The purpose of the present methodology is to provide intermodal transport operators with a model for assessing the impact of guaranteed fairway depth on main effectiveness and efficiency indicators in intermodal freight transport.

Keywords: Danube, river shipping, fairway depth, intermodal transport, inland waterways

REFERENCES

  • Iliescu, L., & Dimitrov, S. (2024). Sediment Transport and Its Impact on Draft Limitation in the Danube Delta. Geomorphology, 430, 120765.
  • Pallis, A.A., & Notteboom, T. (2018). "The Danube as a Container Transport Corridor." Maritime Policy & Management, 45(2), 239-253.
  • Petrov, N., & Staneva, A. (2023). Climate Change and Its Effects on Water Levels and Navigability of the Lower Danube. Hydrology Research, 54(1), 45-62.
  • Popescu, A., & Ivanov, D. (2024). Assessment of Navigational Constraints on the Lower Danube River due to Draft Limitations. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, 150(2), 115-130
  • Radu, C., & Mihail, G. (2024). Economic Impacts of Draft Limitations on Inland Waterway Transport along the Lower Danube. Transport Policy, 137, 123456.
  • Schmidt, R., Petrescu, M., & Varga, B. (2023). Hydraulic Engineering Solutions for Improving Navigability in the Lower Danube. River Systems and Navigation, 29(4), 201-218.
  • Wiegmans, B., & Konings, R. (2017). "Intermodal Container Transport by Inland Waterways in Europe." Transport Reviews, 37(3), 354-372.

Open paper as PDF