Sustainably Shaping the Future of the Waterway
Interview with DI Hans-Peter Hasenbichler, Managing Director of viadonau - Austrian Waterway Company mbH
The Danube is one of the most important waterways in Europe and plays a central role in international goods traffic and tourism. It connects ten countries and serves as an environmentally friendly means of transportation, contributing to the relief of roads and railways. At the same time, it sets high requirements for infrastructure, flood protection, and ecological sustainability. The viadonau - Austrian Waterways Company mbH significantly contributes to meeting these challenges and shaping the Danube as an efficient, safe, and sustainable traffic artery.
"Our mission is to protect and further develop the Danube as both a transport route and a natural habitat," explains Managing Director Hans-Peter Hasenbichler. "The Danube is one of the most important waterways in Europe, and we are committed to ensuring that it is used in a way that is both economically and ecologically sustainable." With a clear focus on digitalization, environmental protection, and sustainable mobility, viadonau actively shapes the future of the Danube waterway – for sustainable, safe, and economically efficient use.
Innovative Infrastructure
Since 2005, viadonau has been operating the federal waterway Danube, currently with 260 employees. The range of services is broad, covering infrastructure management, navigation and logistics, as well as electronic information and navigation systems through to flood protection and ecological water engineering. In national and international projects and collaborations, viadonau drives the development of the waterway. Digitalization is playing an increasingly central role at viadonau.
To be able to respond, we are increasingly relying on digital twins and artificial intelligence to better predict water level fluctuations and optimally adjust the infrastructure," says Hans-Peter Hasenbichler.
In addition to digital optimization, environmentally friendly technologies are at the heart of the company strategy. "We are working on research projects for alternative, more environmentally friendly propulsion methods for our ships. It turns out that we can save up to 90% CO2 with HVO," emphasizes the managing director. "Our goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030. We will achieve this by using alternative energies such as photovoltaics and with energy efficiency."
Integrative Approach
viadonau pursues an integrative approach for the sustainable and responsible use of the Danube as a living, natural, and economic space. Entrepreneurial thinking and innovative solutions are always considered here. With the expertise of its experts, the company sees itself as a service provider for the public sector, for entrepreneurs, and for the people in the country who seek recreation on the Danube or live along it.
International cooperation, such as the coordination of the Danube Region Strategy for the EU, strengthens sustainable inland navigation. Participating in trade fairs, including this year in June at transport logistic in Munich, serves to exchange with experts and the interested public. "We want to be pioneers in climate protection and implement sustainable innovations more quickly," concludes Hans-Peter Hasenbichler.