Annual report 2012/2013 - EBU

SpecialReportsDanube – Straubing Vilshofen:wrong decision by BavariangovernmentAs second largest river in Europe the Danuberiver offers huge potential for a modalshift and development of the EasternEuropean economy.On 23 February 2013 the Bavarian governmenthowever took the decision not tosolve the major bottlenecks on this riverFast Facts The Danube Basinat the Straubing Vilshofen stretch.In the past three years a monitoring groupassessed the different options that whereat discussion. One of EBU’s board memberscontributed to the works of this monitoringgroup which was intended to feed intothe decision process.EBU strongly criticizes and highly regretsthe decision by the Bavarian Ministrywhich in its motivation hardly takes Second largest river in Europe (aer the Volga), flowing more than 2,800 km from Bavaria’s Black Forest in Southern Germany to its delta on the Black Sea in Romania Directly linked to the Rhine and North Western Europe by the Rhine-­‐Main-­‐Danube Canal, opened in 1992 notice of the long lasting assessment andits outcome. The decision taken does notsolve the existing problem of insufficientdraught in the river, for which sustainableand environmentally protecting solutionshave been proposed as outcome of themonitoring process.The solution which has been taken willnot be supported by European TEN-Tfunds as it is not supporting the developmentof the waterway. Drains 10% of the enre European connent, covering all or part of 18 countries Serves a region of 100 million people Spanned by 126 bridges Source: PLATINA (2012)LNG - MOST PROMISINGFUTURE DEVELOPMENTDuring the last years the development ofLNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) has taken off.The support of single projects which willuse LNG has shifted towards standarisationof legislature concerning this type of fuelas well as the introduction of a new dimension,being the possible authorization toship LNG as cargo in type G (Gas) tankers.A broad scope of activities has been identifiedand is being addressed in numerouscommissions. The potential and expectationsof LNG as regards environmental andeconomic impact of the sector are high.With the operational deployment of tankvessel Argonon a live test case has assistedin the future development of more vesselsthat can be equipped with this type of enginefor the coming generation of inlandvessels. Since then 3 other tank vesselshave meanwhile been given permissionto be operated and sail on LNG. These permissionshad to be obtained for differentregulations regarding fueling activitiesand company regulations which are applicablefor terminals. This broad approachfor obtaining the necessary permissionshas asked tremendous efforts of directstakeholders. Another 5 vessels, includingpassenger, dry cargo and push bargeconcepts, are expected to ask for specialpermissions shortly. EBU calls upon thecompetent regulators to shortly introduceregular standards for these vessels.To assess the risks of sailing on LNG andcarrying LNG as cargo the Dutch Organizationfor Applied Scientific Research evaluatedthe HAZID (Hazard Identification)studies of the proposed projects as regardscollision calculations, the crashworthinessof the cryogenic tank, submitted CFDcalculations, scenario’s which take intoaccount an LNG spill on deck, the influenceof fire, etc.Also training requirements have beenaddressed leading to a standardised trainingrequirement to be introduced in therelevant regulations in due course. EBU’sDangerous Goods Committee assisted aworking group at UNECE level to authorizethe transport of LNG as bulk cargo.Inland waterway transport, due to its high safety standardand its other characteristics, is predestinated to carry highvolumes of LNG as cargo. EBU calls upon the competentauthorities to shortly introduce regular standards for sailingon LNG and carrying LNG as cargo.annual report 2012/201310 11