PLATINA

The consortium was formed by 22 organizations from 9 European countries (Austria, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Romania, Croatia, Hungary, and Finland). PLATINA represents a coordinated action that aims to promote inland water transport. The main objective of the project is to support the European Commission, EU Member States and neighbouring countries in the implementation of the NAIADES action program. PLATINA provides technical and organizational support while ensuring the active participation of key stakeholders.

Organized in accordance with the NAIADES directives, the PLATINA project comprises five work packages for the five policy areas of interest in the field: markets, fleet, trades and skills, image and infrastructure.

Work Package 1 (Markets) raised the level of awareness regarding the opportunities offered by the market in the field of inland waterway transport by identifying best practices, thus contributing to the achievement of an improved administrative framework and by developing an information portal at European level.

Work package 2 (Fleet) was intended to strengthen coordination on research in the field at national and European level.

Work package 3 (Jobs and skills) helped to find a solution to the workforce problem in the inland waterway transport sector at European level by raising awareness, improving employment opportunities and mutual recognition of qualifications.

Work package 4 (Image) aimed to coordinate activities to promote inland waterway transport at European level by expanding the network of existing centres and by preparing a common communication strategy.

Work package 5 (Infrastructure) contributed to the improvement of the multimodal network and support for the implementation of the RIS (River Information Services) system in Europe as a starting point for the improvement of commercial services offered by inland waterway navigation.