The fifth Expert Meeting for the Development of Ports and Port Operations (EM Ports) debated issues regarding energy transition and sustainability of Danube ports

The fifth Expert Meeting on the development of ports and port operations (EM Ports) was organized on 26 March 2025. The meeting, chaired by Mr. Vuk Perovic, Director of Port Governance Agency of Serbia, brought together over 50 participants from Danube states, international organisations and stakeholders throughout Europe for a structured dialogue. Prior to the meeting, on 25 March, the SEANERGY project workshop for inland ports took place.

In the opening of the meeting, the representative of the Ukrainian delegation (USPA) informed delegations on latest bomb attacks by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, particularly in the Odessa region, and presented the results of the Ukrainian Danube ports in 2024.

The first information block focused on the policy framework for Danube ports. Mr Torsten Klimke, Head of Unit of EC/DG MOVE D3, updated on main elements of EU inland waterway transport policy, including the NAIADES III study on the sustainable management of inland ports (GRIP), which was later presented by the project coordinator, Mr Smit of ECORYS, while Mr Fiorito reflected on current and future EU policy initiatives from the perspective of his organisation, the European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP). Participants discussed also the introduction of a new European port strategy, end of 2025. On 26 February 2025 the European Commission has launched the Clean Industrial Deal (CID) and Omnibus Packages to decarbonize industry, enhance competitiveness, and simplify regulations. Obviously, these documents will affect the EU Taxonomy process, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and other relevant documents.

In the second block of information, delegations analyzed the implementation of climate targets and measures for energy transition in inland ports. Presentations were given on realistic expectations for alternative fuels for Danube vessels, the results of the viadonau study on promising alternative fuels and propulsion systems specifically for the Danube region, and the progress of the EU-funded RH2INE project Port of Enns presented the as a case study of the implementation of the CSRD in an inland port on the Danube and the calculation of CO2 emissions. It was emphasized that Danube navigation has to contribute to the energy transition in a short-term solution by 2030 using alternative fuels HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil).

The third part of the meeting focused on Port Community Systems (PCS) as central instrument for the digitalization of port operations and looked into the project progress by the Port Administration of Constanta to prepare for a PCS. GRIP experts presented the digitisation master plan for inland ports and terminals.

The final part of the meeting dealt with relevant cooperation activities with presentation of the EXPO 2027 in Belgrade and the role of the PGA in this world-class event DC presented an update on the revision process of the ‘Joint Statement of the Danube Port Authorities and Ports Stakeholders’, while Panteia’s experts showcased the Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) developed as part of the GRIP project, which is now at an advanced stage and is currently being tested in a pilot phase.

The next official expert meeting of Danube ports is scheduled for 26 March 2026.

Presentations:

• Dejan Trifunovic DC – Progress of the Joint Statement of the Danube Port Authorities and Ports Stakeholders
• Dejan Trifunovic DC – Progress regarding the implementation of the DC Danube Ports database
• Dejan Trifunovic DC – Update on policy framework relevant for Danube ports
• Geert Smit Jasper Tanis GRIP – Study on Enabling Sustainable Management and Development of inland ports
• Ksenija Hajdukovic PGA EXPO 2027 in Belgrade The role of the PGA
• Manfred Seitz DC – Next steps
• Maren Schmitt TSB – Project Compendium H2 Port Infrastructure
• Milica Nikolic viadonau – Alternative fuels and propulsion systems for the Danube Region
• Robert de Leeuw  GRIP – ESMS pilot application
• Robert Rafael PDI – The Potential of Alternative Fuels on the Pathway Towards Climate Neutrality
• Sasa Jovanovic PDM/IC – Digitalisation Masterplan for inland ports and terminals
• Sorin Horovei, Hainer Bachmann PCS – Port Constanta – development and implementation of a Port Community System
• Tom Verlinden RH2INE – H2 port infrastructure as part of the RH2INE project
• Turi Fiorito EFIP – Reflections by EFIP on port policy issues
• Werner Auer ENSHAFEN – Balancing CO2-emissions for the Ennshafen