Localisation
The Douro Waterway (VND), located in the north of Portugal, runs between the Douro bar and the cross-border site of Barca D'Alva and Vega Terrón, for a length of 208 kilometres.
The VND is the only national waterway that is part of the Trans-European Transport Network.
The following types of shipping currently ply the VND
Commercial navigation, namely Maritime-tourist activity, the transport of goods and fishing;
Recreational and leisure activities include recreational boating, recreational and sport fishing, as well as the usual motorised and non-motorised water sports.
Competences
Within the scope of the operation and management of the Douro Waterway, APDL, S.A. is responsible for:
- Promoting and encouraging navigation on the Douro River waterway;
- Promote and encourage activities related to navigation, publicising its image among economic agents, managing resources and contributing to the development of the Douro region;
- Developing and maintaining infrastructure and equipment to ensure traffic on the Douro River waterway and the use of port facilities;
- Manage the assets within its area of jurisdiction;
- Coordinate the interventions of other public or private entities with an impact on the waterway of the River Douro.
It is also responsible for ensuring the navigability of the VND and guaranteeing port security.
The aforementioned powers and competences are pursued and exercised in the areas located within the public water domain and in the maritime, fluvial-maritime and terrestrial zones necessary for the operation and management of the Douro River waterway and for the execution and conservation of existing or ongoing works on them.