Romania joins the Waterborne Technology Platform
“Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati recently joined the Waterborne Technology Platform, which is now representing 127 members from 19 EU Member States and four other European countries
Brussels, 07 April 2025
Romania is strategically located on the Black Sea and with access to the Danube, which offers opportunities for the development of maritime and inland waterway transport, the shipbuilding industry and waterborne tourism. The waterborne sector is of strategic importance in the Romanian economy, as it is responsible for a number of key economic and social activities. Seaports are an important gateway for goods and products to and from other countries. Shipbuilding, ship repair and modernisation, and the production of maritime equipment such as engines, radars and safety equipment are other key activities related to the waterborne sector in Romania. To provide input and collaborate with key players in the transition to a resilient, competitive and sustainable waterborne sector, the “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati recently joined the Waterborne Technology Platform.
The Waterborne Technology Platform (TP) is the European research and innovation platform for the waterborne sector, providing policy guidance to the European institutions regarding research, development and innovation, as well as the deployment of these innovations. Furthermore, the Waterborne TP is coordinating the private side of the Partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport with the European Commission. Currently representing 127 members from 19 EU Member States and four other European countries, the Waterborne TP has a significant footprint in the European Union.
The “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati is the most important institution of higher education in the South-East of Romania. Amongst others, the university has a faculty of naval architecture, the only one in Romania, with a tradition of over six decades in higher education and has as a main performance criterion training naval architects recognized worldwide for a long, motivational and fascinating career. Furthermore, the university conducts research in waterborne transport across the following areas: naval architecture, new materials, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, air/water pollution, underwater radiated noise, automations and electrical systems.
Jaap Gebraad, Secretary General, Waterborne Technology Platform, said: “We warmly welcome Romania as our new member, broadening the geographical scope of our activities throughout Europe. The unique characteristics of the Romanian waterborne sector, and the wealth of knowledge available in the country will certainly contribute to shaping our future priorities and benefit the research and innovation activities in Romania and across Europe.”
Prof. Univ. Dr. Marian Barbu, Rector of “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, added: On behalf of “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for being accepted as a partner in the Waterborne Technology Platform. It is an honour for our institution to join this prestigious network dedicated to advancing research and innovation in the field of waterborne transport. As a comprehensive university, we are committed to contributing our expertise, research centres, and state-of-the-art facilities to support the platform’s objectives, particularly in decarbonization, emissions reduction, sustainable materials, pollution control, and automation. Our researchers have already made significant contributions in these areas through high-impact publications and active participation in over 20 Horizon and Erasmus+ projects.
We look forward to collaborating with fellow members of the platform to drive innovation and sustainable solutions for the future of European waterborne transport. Once again, thank you for this opportunity—we are excited about the journey ahead.”
WATERBORNE TP has been set up as an industry-oriented Technology Platform to establish a continuous dialogue between all waterborne stakeholders, such as classification societies, shipbuilders, shipowners, maritime equipment manufacturers, infrastructure and service providers, universities or research institutes, and with the EU Institutions, including Member States (www.waterborne.eu). The members of Waterborne TP comprise members as well as associated members from both maritime and inland navigation countries, representing about 19 Member States. In addition, the Associations member of the Waterborne Technology Platform represent the broader waterborne sector throughout the entire EU.
