Meeting on the Vltava River: A new platform for metropolitan development

When we were preparing the first edition of the conference on sustainable transport in Prague and its surroundings, we had one clear goal: to create a space for open dialogue where people not only talk but also listen. And that's exactly what happened aboard our electric catamaran Anna Carolina.

Thanks to the excellent collaboration with Ondřej Fér, who helped conceptualize and moderate the event, a truly open panel was created, where not only visions were shared, but also concrete experiences, proposals, and obstacles that currently hinder the shift of transport in Prague towards greater sustainability.

⚓️ We shared practical examples as well as system limitations.
Marek Zděradička showed how urban logistics are handled effectively and considerately, for example in Paris.
Jakub Šimáček opened the topic of construction logistics via waterways – including a specific comparison of cost, time, and carbon footprint.
Lubomír Fojtů spoke about the potential of water transport, which has long been underestimated in Prague.
Daniel Nedvěd delivered a very interesting lecture on tourism.
There were also perspectives on the role of railways, public transport, and the transition towards an emission-free future.

🙏 Thank you to everyone who shared their views aboard – such as Vladimír Kremlík, René Neděla, Martin Schejbal, Martin Veselý, Oldřich Sládek, and other amazing people whose presence moved the entire debate forward.

A lot was said – and it was said sincerely and without ideology. Precisely because of this, we believe that this conference was not the end, but the beginning of something bigger.

🛠 From this discussion came the impulse to create a new open platform aiming to connect public and private actors and set basic rules for the long-term sustainable development of the metropolitan area. The goal is to create a truly functional space for cooperation across politics, business, and the professional community – without formal barriers, but with an emphasis on concrete outcomes.

"It was an honor for us to host this conference. From such gatherings, we expect rational debate without ideological frameworks but with concrete impacts. The Vltava River has the potential to become the transport artery it once was – and can become again," said the founder of Prague Boats, Mr. Richard Vojta.

The initiative was also supported by Lukáš Hradský, chairman of the Shipping Section of the Transport Association and owner of Evropská vodní doprava | EVD:
"The entire water transport sector has long been waiting for us to move from promises to action. This event marks the beginning of a process where we will talk about water transport as a full-fledged, ecological, and economical alternative."

🌍 The next time you find yourself stuck in traffic behind a truck carrying construction material, remember that someone is already thinking about how to change that. And that we don't have to give up.