This European country has no sea access, but it has shipyards

And the largest of them is located in the city of Linz

The municipal website of Linz proudly boasts that the city hosts the largest shipyard facility in all of Austria. That sounds admirable. It also sounds astonishing given the fact that this Central European country has no access to a seacoast and is completely landlocked.

The trick here of course is that Linz is located on the Danube River – Europe’s major water artery and a navigable course, which requires its own kind of shipping and fluvial transportation facilities and vessels. And as such, it is easy to understand why though Linzer people may be living smack in the middle of the continent, in their hearts they are a bit of sailors and ship buffs.

The ÖSWAG shipyard itself, located in the port of Linz, has existed since 1840 (during the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire). Around 1,500 ships have already been built there. 

And that includes anything from paddle steamers and police boats to custom-made products for the Vienna fire brigade. The devices are quite impressive: The 270-meter-long "slip" system can lift ships with a length of up to 135 meters and a weight of up to 2,500 tons.

The importance of a river highway

The Danube is a busy river in terms of transportation, and that doesn’t only refer to river cruises. It efficiently connects many Central and Eastern European cities and capitals creating a viable and organic economic highway.

This special location makes Linz so interesting for shipping companies. Thanks to the industrial area, the shipyard can quickly access the materials it needs, such as hoses or sheet metal. The good train and motorway connections are also very helpful.

These kinds of traditions can turn the perception of the way we think about landlocked countries and the importance of water for the European way of life.