ADB MULTIPLATFORM

The ADB Adriatic-Danube-Black Sea Multimodal Platform project, co-funded by the South East Europe (SEE) Transnational Cooperation Programme, involved 42 European partners, including the regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia, lead partner, Veneto and Apulia, to realise high-tech intermodal platforms, to make the transition from water to rail transport efficient, and to create a competitive and sustainable transport network in South East Europe. The Port of Trieste was among the 42 partners.

With an expected duration of 30 months, the ADB Multimodal Platform project started in 2012, with a total budget of EUR 5,646,970, of which almost EUR 4.8 million co-financed by the EU (85%).

The four pilot projects on which the project partners focused on included the construction of a connection axis between the Black Sea and its hinterland, a connection axis between the North Adriatic ports and their respective hinterlands, a connection between the two sides of the Adriatic, and the development of river transport along the Danube axis.

Improving the accessibility of this area also entails better mobility of goods, improved transport standards, the development of unified sustainable mobility management models and an integrated logistics chain.

The project combined these key factors for territorial development, looking at regional integration within a common European market.

Multimodal transport was still underdeveloped in this area, and the ADB Multiplatform project aimed to develop a network of multimodal hubs in this area, with common standards in terms of both quality and performance, linked by innovative ICT and transport services.

The project also aimed to develop accessibility and trade within the SEE (South East Europe) area and the corresponding corridors.

The intention was to make multimodal transport a real alternative to road transport for traffic in the hinterland of the Adriatic, Aegean and Black Sea ports, through joint actions for the development of multimodal transport; and rail transport a reliable solution for economic operators in the EEA area, through the development of a main integrated rail corridor connecting the Black Sea to landlocked countries, with branches to the main Adriatic ports.