How can we make river transport more appealing to young people and build a sustainable future on our waterways? These were the key questions explored during the international webinar "Flowing Forward: Youth for Sustainable River Transport", held on 14 May 2025. Organized by the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, University of Belgrade (FTTE), within the DanuRELY-WS project, the event gathered students, researchers, innovators, and policy shapers from across Europe.
Exploring Innovation in Inland Navigation
The webinar was opened by Marijana Davidović Petrović, PhD, professor at the University of Belgrade – FTTE. In her opening remarks, she underlined the vital role of inland waterway transport in addressing environmental and logistical challenges, while also highlighting the need to attract and empower a new generation of professionals to lead the sector forward.
Access the presentations here.
Three expert presentations followed, each focusing on cutting-edge innovations in river transport:
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Dr. Cyril Alias from DST, Duisburg (Germany) presented on "Autonomous Waterborne Logistics", offering insights into the future of smart inland waterway transport. He discussed how technologies like AI and advanced sensors are revolutionizing the logistics chain, making river transport safer, cleaner, and more efficient.
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Saša Jovanović from iC consulenten, Vienna (Austria) introduced the concept of "Green Inland Ports", showcasing examples of how inland ports are evolving into sustainable and smart hubs. His talk emphasized the role of renewable energy integration, digitalization, and eco-friendly design in transforming ports into climate-resilient infrastructure.
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Anita Abođi, a PhD student at FTTE, shared an inspirational video detailing her personal journey – from discovering her passion for transport engineering, through her academic path, to becoming an active contributor at the university. Her story illustrated the challenges and triumphs of building a career in this dynamic field, and the importance of representation, mentorship, and perseverance for young professionals.
Access the video here.
Empowering Youth Voices in the Danube Region
The second part of the webinar focused on youth engagement. Irene Schnait from Danube Strategy Point introduced the work of the Danube Youth Council, an initiative that gives young people a platform to participate in shaping policies and projects in the Danube Region. She encouraged participants to apply and get involved in regional decision-making processes, especially in areas such as transport, environmental protection, and innovation.
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An interactive discussion followed, where participants shared their ideas and asked questions. It became clear that if we want inland navigation to be truly sustainable, it must be technologically innovative, inclusive, and welcoming to the next generation of professionals.
Navigating Together Toward a Greener Future
The "Flowing Forward" webinar clearly demonstrated the power of combining innovation, education, and youth participation to shape the future of sustainable river transport. Rivers like the Danube hold tremendous potential to become the green transport corridors of tomorrow – if we develop them collaboratively and responsibly.
Did you miss the event?
You can watch the full recording!