Surprising balances for the Danube administrations

National companies in charge with Danube administration announced surprisingly positive financial results at the end of last year, contrasting the decline of freight traffic on the river. AFDJ, the company in charge with navigation and piloting services, APDM, the company that manages river-maritime ports at the mouths of the Danube, and APDF, the company that manages upstream river ports, have all made profits in 2009, mainly due to their cost-cutting measures.

In contrast to the decline in traffic, APDM has achieved a turnover of 9,4 million lei, meaning 97% of the estimated revenue for 2009. Still, the expenses were lower than expected, so that APDM maintained a 300,000 lei gross profit. Ports administration on the river upstream brought about a turnover of 18,8 million lei to APDF, which is 5.6% less money than in 2008, but 17% more than in 2007. On the grounds of costs deduction, the company reported a net profit of 4,4 million lei. By far, the most spectacular performance was obtained by AFDJ: increasing its revenue by 6.85% compared to 2008, mainly due to 28% higher revenues from navigation services charges.

On the other hand, AFDJ reduced its dredging activities were reduced, to 92% of the planned programme on the maritime sector of the Danube and only 65% upstream on the river. Despite lower expenses, the three Danube administrations reported a long list of investments initiated or even finalized last year.