A modern system will monitor the pollution of the Danube from ships

Nearly €4 million will be invested in improving the security of navigation and inspections along the river

A modern cross-border monitoring system for water pollution of the Danube River caused by shipping is about to be set up. The pilot initiative will be implemented by the Maritime Administration Executive Agency in partnership with the Romanian Maritime Administration in the framework of the approved strategic project DANRISS 2 - Enhanced Danube inspections through artificial intelligence and data integration. The investment is for nearly EUR 4 million provided by the Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme, which is co-managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

The system includes innovative IT tools and sensors for collecting and analysing river pollution data, as well as a procedure for joint monitoring and incident response activities.

The project also envisages upgrading the existing DANRISS system by transforming it into a smart and integrated platform that improves efficiency, transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements related to inspections of the technical condition of ships on the Danube, in order to avoid duplication of activities by both administrations. To this end, the Maritime Administration Executive Agency will deploy key hardware and infrastructure components and servers along the Bulgarian coast. New mobile devices and communication equipment related to the performance of ship inspections will be provided. A mobile inspection unit equipped with dedicated mobile printers, tablets and an off-road vehicle will be set up. Artificial intelligence solutions will be deployed to improve monitoring and analysis of Danube shipping, increase safety and efficiency in river transport management, etc. Joint training activities and harmonisation of inspection practices with the Romanian maritime administration are also foreseen.

The implementation of the project will ensure safe, effective and harmonised inspections of ships along the Bulgarian-Romanian section of the Danube River with regard to the fair application of navigation regulations. It will implement the provisions of Directive 2016/1629/EC laying down technical requirements for inland waterway vessels under the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods. The implementation of the DANRISS 2 project will contribute to a significant improvement in the quality and consistency of ship inspections, safer shipping, reduced environmental impact and a more level playing field for participants in Danube river transport.