Workshop “Promoting Port of Brčko as logistics gateway and its better integration into Rhine-Danube TEN-T core corridor”

On 19 September 2024, the Danube Commission Secretariat organized the workshop “Promoting Port of Brčko as logistics gateway and its better integration into Rhine-Danube TEN-T core corridor”, with the support of DG MOVE (GA3), TCT Permanent Secretariat and ISRBC Secretariat. The workshop was hosted by the Port of Brčko was attended by over 50 participants It was preceded by a tour of the Port of Brčko, as well as a meeting of the 11th TCT – Technical Committee for Waterborne Transport and Multimodality on 18 September 2024.

The objective of the workshop was to provide support to the port administration of Brčko in its efforts to promote the port as a logistics hub for the District of Brčko and as a gateway for logistics services into its economic hinterland in BiH. This would facilitate also future cargo flows on the Danube and Sava River, in line with the improvement of navigability of the Sava River. The workshop included key stakeholders at EU and regional level, economic organisations, port and logistics experts and business representatives. As part of the modernisation of the Port of Brčko, the European Union provided a grant of three million euros and an additional low-interest loan of seven million euros from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to improve the infrastructure. The newly installed crane with a capacity of 27 tonnes, which is into operation since 8 March 2024, symbolises a turning point for the future operation of the Port of Brčko. The capacity of this crane is 140,000 tonnes per year.

Two panel discussions were organised as part of the workshop: Improving the navigability of the Sava River and the accessibility of Port of Brčko by water, rail and road and Promoting economic development of the Port of Brčko and its integration into logistics and transport networks.

Officials and participants alike highlighted the projects meant to improve the fairway conditions, with the support of the European Commission, the Sava River Basin Commission and international financing organisations. These projects are intended to restore the importance of the Sava waterway and enable companies in the region to benefit from cost-effective waterway transport. In this context, one important project aims to demine the right bank of the Sava River as well as to open the bridge between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brčko for cargo transportation.

Discussions also focused on the efforts of the port administration of Brčko to promote the port as logistics hub for the District of Brčko. This would enable the port to strengthen its position as gateway for logistics services into its economic hinterland in BiH and thus to facilitate also future cargo flows on the Danube and Sava River in line with the improvement of navigability of the Sava River. A large number of companies located near the Port of Brcko, as well as ports from Serbia and Croatia, will play a special role in that regard. The transshipment in the Port of Brčko has drastically decreased compared to the record year 2009 (approx. 270,000 tonnes) so that in recent years it amounts to 40-60,000 tonnes. It was also suggested that with all efforts when it comes to the navigability of the Sava, 300 navigable days should be provided instead of the current 180-200 days. The importance of the availability and predictability of navigational data and the quality of port services was emphasised.

The participants expressed their appreciation for the initiative of DC Secretariat to organise the event, suggesting that such meetings be held every two years, which would contribute to the economic development of the region and its integration into logistics and transport networks. with relatively stable conditions, transshipment in the Port of Brčko is expected to increase by 20% by 2027.