New initiative to cut transit time on the Danube

European Strategy for Danube Region: Common standards to increase efficiency – survey to improve border controls on the Danube

In order to harmonise procedures at border controls, the 1A Priority Area (to improve mobility and multimodality of inland waterways) of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region has launched an online survey on border controls. The survey is aimed at shipping companies and vessel operators who are the first to be affected by border control procedures.

Incited by recurring criticism on administrative obstacles, the main goal of the initiative is to systematically collect ideas and proposals. The recommendations compiled from the results of the questionnaire will be used to increase efficiency and to harmonise procedures at border controls.

The questionnaire launched in cooperation with PA11 on Security addresses key players and stakeholders from the 14 countries of the Danube region. Their recommendations will help to develop administrative improvements and allow standardising and optimising border control procedures along the Danube. This will cut transit time on the long term, save costs and time. Working towards the improvement of the framework conditions for navigation on the Danube will contribute to raising the attractiveness and the competitiveness of Danube transport as a whole.

The survey will stay available online until 30 March 2015. It is available in 8 languages and can be found at www.danube-navigation.eu under „survey border control“. Filling out this feedback form will take no longer than 10 minutes. The responses will be treated anonymously.

The Danube is the second largest river in Europe and the most international waterway in the world connecting 14 countries. Not all Danube riparian states however are EU Member States or in the Schengen area, thus required customs clearance for imports and exports as well as border checks for passengers and crews can become quite time-consuming and costly.

www.via-donau.org

Quelle: LogEastics
Portal: www.logistik-express.com