As of today, 1st of June 2015, Pro Danube hosts on its website an online reporting tool where stakeholders of Danube navigation (port operators, skippers, barge operators, cargo shippers, logistics operators, etc.) which have experienced problems or identified shortcomings in the work of authorities and administrations can report the experienced problems and/or proposals to improve the current situation. Collecting detailed information on administrative barriers that hinder business activities cargo and passenger operations in Danube navigation will enable Pro Danube to identify structural shortcomings in legislation, regulations and administrative practice which will have to be abolished/changed in order to unlock the potentials of Danube businesses for economic growth and jobs in the region.
The reporting tool is part of Pro Danube’s campaign on administrative barriers and follows its declared concept of “Same River – Same Rules” which aims to harmonize administrative procedures for the Danube users at the lowest possible level of bureaucracy. The data provided will be analysed by Pro Danube and will be further used to fight the identified barriers by direct interventions or by structured initiatives. The reporting tool is accessible via PDI’s homepage or directly via the link http://www.prodanube.eu/administrativebarriers/. In the start-up phase, the interface will be available in English, with German, Hungarian and Romanian interfaces to follow after extended practical test period. Registration on the PDI’s website is a precondition for using the reporting tool. All PDI members are automatically registered. Pro Danube will prepare every month a summary report on the main barriers identified. Reports will be made available for registered users and they will be collected in the “downloads & links” section of the PDI website.
The reporting tool will allow a permanent monitoring of the performances of the public administrations and, therefore, goes beyond the current initiative of the EUSDR Working Group for Border Administrative Processes. This Working Group started its activity in 2014 as a joint cooperation between PA 1a and PA 11 and recently conducted a survey among shipping companies and vessel operators at border crossings, to elaborate a practical manual for border control procedures and to draft recommendations on improved control procedures along the Danube which are planned for autumn 2015. Pro Danube considers a permanent monitoring as essential not only to achieve and sustain good border crossings but also to improve many other administrative procedures for the Danube industry.
