On 16–17 September, the Green Inland Ports team co-organised the Danube Ports Days 2025 in Constanța. This two-day hybrid event brought together policymakers, industry representatives, and experts to discuss the role of inland ports in Europe’s transport and energy transition.
We thank our co-organisers, Pro Danube International, the Danube Ports Network, and the Port of Constanța. The event was also supported by other EU-funded projects in addition to the Green Inland Ports project, including SYNERGETICS and PIONEERS.
Day One: Innovation and green solutions in ports
The first day centred on innovation in inland navigation and port operations. Expert panels featured representatives from ship design, shipyard operations, digital safety solutions, and cruise shipping, discussing approaches to green fuels, automation, and sustainable vessel concepts. The discussions touched upon practical experiences, from methanol-fuelled ship designs to advanced digital monitoring and next-generation river cruise vessels.
EU projects added a policy and research perspective. Green Inland Ports presented tools for emissions monitoring, SYNERGETICS introduced its decision-support model for vessel retrofits, and PIONEERS demonstrated how lighthouse ports can share technology with inland ports.
Day Two: Logistics and connectivity
The second day focused on the logistics dimension of inland ports. Representatives from companies including DP World, TTS Group, Grampet, and COMVEX shared insights on hinterland connections, multimodal transport, and investment priorities. We discussed the lessons from recent logistics challenges, investment strategies for rail-port connections, and opportunities to transform the Danube into a competitive and environmentally friendly trade corridor. Concrete examples included energy-efficient terminals, smart grain handling facilities, and integrated digital solutions for logistics platforms.
Key takeaways
Speakers throughout the event underscored the urgency of aligning innovation with policy. They highlighted that sustainable inland navigation requires coordinated investment in infrastructure, adoption of alternative fuels, and continuous stakeholder engagement.
Herfried Leitner, President of Pro Danube International, closed the event by noting, “The Danube Ports Days 2025 offered an opportunity to exchange knowledge and practical experiences. These discussions are essential for ensuring that inland ports continue to evolve in line with Europe’s transport and sustainability objectives.”
Overall, as in previous editions, Danube Ports Days 2025 was an important platform for networking and collaboration across the sector. Thank you to everyone who joined!
Take a look at the presentations from the event below: