The project’s foreseen activities are divided on three core phases. The first phase, which encompassed the implementation of studies and preparatory designs to perform modernization works in the river, has been concluded. Phase II is currently underway through the implementation of different projects, of which two were presented and approved in the CEF-T 2015 Call for Proposals. The application to CEF-T 2016, which is the core of Phase III, is being finalized.

• DIW project´s is crucial to provide a new, clean and sustainable freight transport mode to landlocked regions of Portugal and Spain, opening a direct access to maritime navigation and their economic development.

• Douro’s Inland Waterway 2020 answers real needs of the inland waterway highlighted by its operators and stakeholders.

• The project tackles safety-related problems and addresses environmental concerns.

• Douro’s Inland Waterway 2020 aims at achieving a full, safe and secure navigability in line with European standards and the goals of NAIDES II Communication - to its maximum capacity, day round and with a higher capacity for freight.

APDL – Administração dos Portos do Douro, Leixões e Viana do Castelo, S.A. – defines its mission as providing acknowledged value services to users of the Port of Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo through adequate provision of infrastructure, a high operating efficiency, skilled and motivated human resources, a practice of sustainability and safety, organizing and developing the port area and ensuring adequate urban integration, involving the port communities.

APDL wants to bring the Ports of Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo competitive options for the logistics systems, cargo and passengers that use the Atlantic Coast of the Iberian Peninsula, contributing significantly to the economic and social development of the country.

The Douro’s Inland Waterway 2020 project contributes to APDL’s mission, vision and goals.