THE FLUVIAL TRANSPORT IN THE ROMANIAN SECTOR OF THE DANUBE

Transcription

1 THE FLUVIAL TRANSPORT IN THE ROMANIAN SECTOR OF THE DANUBE ADRIAN BALTĂLUNGĂ 1 Key words: fluvial transport, freight route index, passenger route index, harbour freight traffic Fluvial transport implies the presence of harbours. In the Romanian sector of the Danube they have a long tradition. In mid 19 th century, most Danubian harbours were in the Dobrudja. In the next centuries, expecially places situated like (Hârşova, Isaccea, Giurgiu, Brăila, Turnu Măgurele etc.) would develop. The fluvial transport, as well as other types of transport, implies two basic categories: the transport of goods and of passengers. Later, all the others developed expecially in the 2 th century. The Romanian fluvial fleet was set up on the 22 nd of October, 186. Freight transport River transported wares by travel companies (thousand tons) ,18 1,596 1,558 In 1955, 82.7% of the water transport in Romania were represented by fluvial transport, the percentage increasing in 1958 to 93.4%. For example, comparing the results of 198 the percentage was 76.1%, in 199, 43.6, al most doubling in compared to the maritime transport. Before the Iron Gate water-power station was built, a 2 km long channel ran up to Drobeta Turnu Severin. At that time, the main transported wares were: - up the river: iron ore, oil products, wood, salt, building materials and farm produce; - down the river: machines and equipments, building materials and farm produce. The traffic of goods was concentrated mostly in Orşova, Drobeta Turnu Severin, Calafat, Olteniţa, Călăraşi, Brăila and Tulcea. Percentage of fluvial freight transport (%) The evolution of fluvial freight transport (1938-) (thousand tons) ,326 1,18 1,914 3,396 12,338 18,4 37,37 12,44 9,45 14,856 There was constant increasing until 197 (with a slight diminution immediately after the Second World War), followed by an explosive growth until 1989 (expecially between ). This spectacular dynamics is mostly connected to the industry development. 1 University Valahia Târgoviste

2 Adrian Baltalunga After 199 till 1993 a similar spectacular diminution followed, connected to the general slowdown of the Romanian economy, but main by political and military crisis in Yugoslavia, which caused damage to the whole fluvial traffic up to this area. Once surpassed, a revigoration can be noticed, almost close to 198 levels. The NATO military intervention in 1999 in Yugoslavia led to a new dramatical fluvial transport on the Danube, which was blocked. FLUVIAL FREIGHT DYNAMICS IN THE ROMANIAN SECTOR OF THE DANUBE thousand tones years FLUVIAL FREIGHT TRANSPORT IN THE ROMANIAN SECTOR OF THE DANUBE BY FORM OF PROPERTY COMPARED TO thousand tons Public Mixttet Private PUBLICA MIXTA Looking at figures and comparing them to ones reveals a significant diminution of public property share in favour of mixt transport which rose substantially. A slight diminution also recorded of the private sector (see graph). Freight transport by property forms (thousand tones) Year Total Public Mixted Private 16,24 1, ,442 14,856 3,89 7,915 3,132 property forms PRIVATA 334

3 The fluvial transport in the Romanian sector of the Danube Freight route is the index expressed in tons per km and is established by the weight of transported wares and the road distances covered by vehicles which made the transports from loading to unloading places. The graph, illustrating the interval between 1993 and, shows the increase of index till, followed by a slight decrease in. Another way of index calculation is in per cent value. Taking as reference the year 199 = 1%, the same evolution can be noticed (see graph). Freight Index Route in the Romanian Sector of the Danube DYNAMICS OF FREIGHT ROUTE INDEX BETWEEN (%) % anii DYNAMICS OF FREIGHT ROUTE INDEX BETWEEN (mil.tones/km) anii mil.t/km Regarding (the freight route) index for the period al discussed, it appears that the fluvial transport of wares registered a positive dynamic compared to railway and maritime transport. The harbour freight traffic-represents wares loading and unloading operations in/out of Romanian and foreign ships anchored at Romanian harbours. It also comprises the transfer of wares from one ship to another. This aspect is illustrated in every harbour town by the annexed map. Next to harbour traffic volume (thousand tons in 1996) map shows the free zones (Giurgiu, Brăila and Sulina). 335

4 Adrian Baltalunga Fig. The volume of the harbour traffic in the Romanian sector of the Danube (thousand tones) Passenger transport The passenger transport in the Romanian sector of the Danube presents obvious discontinuities. It is generally based on tourism. There are special lines for passenger transport in the Danube Delta area and the Moldova Veche Orşova sector. The main lines are: - Brăila-Galaţi-Tulcea-Sulina - Tulcea-Sfântu Gheorghe - Tulcea-Chilia - Brăila-Ostrov-Călăraşi - Drobeta Turnu Severin-Ostrovu Mare - Orşova- Moldova Veche - Passenger fluvial transport (1938-) (thousand passengers) ,159 1,913 1,658 1,834 1,784 1,637 1,986 1,923 Comparatively to the transport of goods the passenger fluvial transport was much steadier, without important variations after 197. This is due to its area to being less influenced by economic or political factors. 336

5 The fluvial transport in the Romanian sector of the Danube For the period between 1993-, a record high was recorded in 1996 (2, 339, passengers) (see graph). DYNAMICS OF PASSENGERS ROUTE INDEX IN THE ROMANIAN SECTOR OF THE DANUBE BETWEEN (mill. passengers/km) PASSENGERS TRANSPORT BY PROPERTY FORMS IN (thousand passengers) PASSENGERS TRANSPORT BY PROPERTY FORMS IN (thousand passengers) PUBLIC MIXTED PRIVATE PUBLIC MIXTED PRIVATE From the graphs above it results that of the mixt sector increased to the detriment of the private and public sectors. Generally speaking of the private sector had a very high percentage. The passenger route is expressed in passengers per km and is determined by the number of the transported passengers and the kilometers covered by every passenger. 337

6 Adrian Baltalunga Passenger Route Index (thousand passengers/km) Analyzing the table and the annexed graph a steady diminution can be distinguished after This diminution can be assigned to the general waning of the population s living standard correlated with the sharp rise of costs for this type of transport. BIBLIOGRAPHY Cucu V., (1996), România.Geografie umană, Edit. Glasul Bucovinei, Iaşi x x x, (1969), Geografia văii Dunării Româneşti, Institutul de Geografie, Edit. Academiei, Bucureşti x x x, (1984), Geografia României, vol. II Geografia umană şi economică, Edit. Academiei, Bucureşti x x x, (1996), Regional Study for the Danube Corridor Development Plan, Kienbaum & Partner et al. Gummersbach x x x, ( ), Anuarul Statistic al României, CNS Bucureşti x x x, (1999), Anuarul Statistic al României, Comisia Naţională de Statistică, Bucureşti x x x, (1999), European Danube Transport Research (EUDET), Evaluation of the Danube Waterway as a Key European Transport Resource 338