Cargo handling in Serbian ports drops by more than half in August and September compared to previous year

In August, cargo handling in Serbian ports fell by 63% compared to the same month the previous year, while a 57% decline was recorded in September. These figures were presented by the Port Agency during regular annual consultations with representatives of the Ports and Docks Group and the River Shipping Group of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.

Reflecting on the results for the current year, Rajko Tanasijevic, Director of the Port Governance Agency, pointed to the significant impact of low water levels on the volume of both cargo and passenger traffic.

Regarding passenger traffic, Tanasijevic noted that the river cruise season had begun very successfully, with strong interest and indicators suggesting that the previous year's record figures, 1,496 port calls and 222,000 passengers, might be surpassed. However, low water levels later in the season affected this segment as well. By the end of September, the number of passengers was approximately 12% lower than in the same period last year.

Vladimir Batalovic, Assistant Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, emphasized that low water levels on the Danube had impacted transport operations throughout the entire region, circumstances that extended beyond national borders and required the attention of the relevant authorities.

– Water transport remains an important component of Serbia's transport system. Its significance for our economy, international trade and connectivity with the Danube region is unquestionable – stated Batalovic, emphasizing that the Ministry remained committed to the further development of this mode of transport, as well as to strengthening its competitiveness and its role within the overall transport system.

Sanja Djurisic, President of the Ports and Docks Group at the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, highlighted the importance of diversifying transport routes and making more efficient use of available capacity in other modes of transport, primarily rail, at ports equipped with the necessary infrastructure. She stressed that stronger integration between different segments of the transport system, cooperation between the business sector and relevant institutions and continuous dialogue with decision-makers were of particular importance for the further development of the port sector.

Mladen Grujic, President of the River Shipping Group at the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, pointed out that unfavorable navigation conditions affected the entire transport chain. Therefore, maintaining constant communication among shipowners, port operators, users of transport services and relevant institutions is crucial. He called for further intensification of cooperation and a collaborative approach to identifying ways to overcome current challenges, while taking into account the specific operational requirements of all participants in the sector.

Privredna komora Srbije

Port Governance Agency

Ports and Docks Group

River Shipping Group

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

Rajko Tanasijević

Vladimir Batalović

Sanja Đurišić

Mladen Grujić