Demonstration on the Danube: boatmen protest in Budapest

27 boats protested against the planned amendment of the Danube Coast Building Code on Saturday, with the participation of the National Association of Hungarian Shipping and the Association of Passenger Boaters.

According to a report by Index, 4000 people on board the boats took part in the protest on the Budapest section of the Danube. 27 boats lined up and sounded their horns after the Bibic boat passed by with a Hungarian flag flying, the portal reported.

This year, the traditional raid was combined with a peaceful protest by the National Association of Hungarian Shipping (MAHOSZ) and the Association of Passenger Boaters against the planned amendment of the Danube Coast Building Code.

Demonstration against the planned amendment of the Danube Coast Building Code

Photo: FB/Mahart Passnave

As stressed, in the amendment, the decision-makers of the capital would stipulate that 9 instead of 24 ports could be used by ships on the affected stretch of the coast. In this case, however, there would be a significant increase in vessel traffic, while the engines would be constantly running, creating noise and smog.

Protesting against the port closures, MAHOSZ President Mihály Tóth pointed out that 4 million people travel by boat in Budapest. This accounts for 80% of the total tourism arriving in the capital.

It is therefore a question of national economy, “because one of Budapest’s main attractions is that it is bisected by the Danube”.

They pointed out that an important tourist element would be affected by the rule change. In addition, the boat traffic would also put pressure on restaurants and hotels. No one has studied the impact of the amendment in this direction, they argued against the proposed change.

Check out some photos of the demonstration in the article of Index HERE.

Read also:

• Tourism in Hungary at huge risk: proposed changes threaten Danube’s future
• Amazing: Budapest’s immensely popular Danube beach free this summer!