The EUSDR targets the modernization of Danube fleet in order to improve environmental and economic performance. A significant contribution to this goal can be made if the Danube fleet switches from gasoil to LNG as fuel. In addition, the transport of LNG on the Danube could significantly increase transport volumes on the Danube and offer energy savings to related industries in the entire region.LNG Masterplan will deliver a policy advocacy document which proposes an integrative strategy together with concrete actions as well as a set of recommendations. This document shall prepare the European Commission, the River Commissions, national authorities as well as the concerned industry a detailed road map for short-term, medium-term and long-term measures necessary for full scale-deployment of LNG, but also for necessary future research & technological development actions.The recommendations will refer to the potential contributions of LNG to the greening of inland navigation efforts, to more stringent air emissions, to the impact of the market position of inland navigation as well as to other related inland navigation policy issues. A close co-operation with the European Commission services shall ensure that provisions of the LNG Masterplan will become a part of the forthcoming implementation activities in the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), or Horizon 2020. For the Danube region in addition the project shall contribute to the work of the Priority Area 1a of the European Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR).ObjectivesThe LNG Masterplan aims to create a platform for cooperation of authorities and industry stakeholders with the purpose to facilitate the creation of a harmonized European regulatory framework for LNG as fuel and cargo in inland navigation and to promote the introduction of LNG as a fuel and cargo for inland shipping. It will deliver technical concepts for new and retrofitted vessels being propelled by LNG and transporting LNG as well as a significant number of pilot deployments of vessels and terminals. It will also develop a comprehensive strategy together with a detailed roadmap for the implementation of LNG in line with EU transport/energy/environmental policy goals and actions.Compared to today's commonly used bunker oil for shipping, LNG reduces sulphur emissions down to nearly 0%. LNG fuelled ships emit nearly no particulate matters, about 90% less nitrogen oxides and 20-25% less CO2. The implementation of LNG as fuel will, therefore, improve the environmental performance of inland navigation due to the cleanness of LNG compared to the currently used gasoil (EN 590 diesel). In addition, LNG has a high potential to reduce fuel costs, which are the main cost factor of inland navigation (up to >50% of total transport costs).Reduced air emissions, higher efficiency of a modernized fleet and increased competitiveness will be the basis for growth and jobs in the navigation sector but also in the industry sectors suffering from high logistics costs. The implementation of LNG shall also, together with other necessary improvements in IWT sector, contribute to the modal split that is in favour of inland waterway transport and thus to contribute to the modal shift objectives of European transport policy.In detail the LNG Masterplan aims:• to co-ordinate and harmonize public legislation and public – private investments• to investigate the costs and benefits of the implementation of LNG as a fuel and as cargo for the European inland fleet• to identify obstacles and to elaborate solutions for cost-effective and stepwise deployment in co-operation of public authorities and private industry• to provide assessments of potential LNG pioneer markets in the hinterland of river ports and to explore this markets as part of a hub & spoke distribution concept• to increase and transfer know how from Northern Europe & maritime sector to the inland navigation sector in general and to Central/ South Eastern Europe in particular• to position LNG as a green and alternative fuel for inland water transport• to trigger the follow-up development and modernisation in inland water transport (both infrastructure and fleet) by introducing the cleaner alternative fuel and a valuable commodity (all-in-one)• to be a driving force in terms of harmonized government law and legislation on the use and transport of LNG on inland waterways and roads, along with the new LNG technologies and standards• to facilitate pilot implementation of the waterborne LNG chains, with built-up of pilot LNG infrastructure in ports as well as pilot LNG powered vessel(s) (newly built / and retrofitted)• to strengthen European innovation in ship-building and related technologies and thus to improve the competitive position of European shipyards and equipment providerThe LNG Masterplan considers inland navigation to be a pioneer market for LNG as transport fuel but also as an enabler to bring LNG cost-effectively from the seaports to the customers (fuel & energy) in major industrial areas along the inland waterways. This will facilitate a wide-scale development of LNG as a fuel and an energy source.LNG is an important opportunity for the IWT sector but it certainly will not be a remedy for all structural and economic problems in IWT. All the work will be based on a realistic and integrated European approach. A vision is that inland ports on the Rhine-Main-Danube axis will become key distribution centres for LNG. Inland terminals will function as satellites to the hinterland enabling to reach other pioneer markets like public (transport) sector and heavy duty transport industry (buses, garbage collection trucks, city logistics) and the energy industry.