SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT ON THE DANUBE – MEASURES FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE AND SAFE TRANSPORT

Abstract

The Danube is the second longest European river that flows through ten countries and covers an area inhabited by 115 million people. It can be observed in geographical, transport, economic, historical and ecological terms. This paper analyses the environmental aspects with special reference to transport on inland waterways as well as pollution that can be result of such transport. The Danube is a specific river that, besides its size, is marked by the diversity in the morphology and hydrology. It is characterized by stunning landscape and unique biodiversity, rare natural habitats and it stands out as an ecologically important area of Europe. Since the subject of protection and improvement of the water status of the Danube is very extensive and requires analysis through multiple branches of law, after the definition of key concepts necessary for a better understanding of the paper, it analyses regulations of inland navigation, environmental provisions, and significant ecological norms of other areas of law, at national and international level. After analysing a number of norms related to the title of the article the author proposes concrete measures to improve the situation.