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€8 million EU grant to demine the Sava River announced at ceremony to celebrate the completion of the modernisation of Brcko Port

06.07.2026 Press and information team of the Delegation to BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA
Brcko Port end of project
© EUBiH

 

The completion of a major modernisation of Brcko River Port was marked today in a ceremony attended by EU, EBRD and local officials. The modernised port facilities drastically enhance transit capacities linking river, rail, and road systems, strengthen the port's operational efficiency and capacity, and help position it as an important logistics hub for the region.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH, Luigi Soreca highlighted the strategic importance of the infrastructure project: "A modern port means better conditions for businesses, more efficient transport of goods, stronger trade links and new opportunities for economic growth and development”. Recalling the importance of demining the Sava for safe and efficient navigation, Ambassador Soreca also announced that the EU has pledged 8 million euros to support the development of river transport in BiH through the “Demining of the Right Bank of the Sava River” project. He also noted that half of the almost €1 billion allocated to Bosnia and Herzegovina under the Growth Plan are reserved for infrastructure projects under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), and called on the relevant authorities not to miss the opportunity to receive investment for vital infrastructure. 

Preparatory works for the modernisation of the port began in June 2021 and concluded in June 2026. The total investment in the project was over €14.4 million, including a non-repayable grant of €3,080,800 from the European Union via the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), complemented by a €10 million favourable loan from the EBRD, alongside local contributions. 

Stela Melnic, Head of the EBRD in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: "The completion of this project marks an important milestone for Brčko District and for Bosnia and Herzegovina. By modernising the country's only river port, we are helping to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and create new opportunities for businesses. This investment demonstrates the impact that strong partnerships can deliver and will contribute to the long-term competitiveness and economic development of the country."

Siniša Milić, Mayor of Brcko District, stated: "Brčko Port is the only international river port in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is why it is important that it has facilities that meet the modern needs of the economy and the transport sector. This investment does not, in itself, resolve all of the port's challenges, but it is a necessary step in ensuring that the port is ready to operate at a higher capacity once the necessary market and infrastructure conditions are in place. Demining of the riverbank and the dredging of the navigation channel are the next projects for which the European Union Delegation has already expressed its interest. Ultimately, I am confident that the port will become an important asset for the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that businesses across the country will make full use of its capacities." 

Perica Josić, Director of JP „Luka Brčko“, said: "The further development of Brčko Port is directly linked to the key infrastructure projects in the region. We therefore hope to see progress on Corridor Vc, the Belgrade–Sarajevo motorway, the electrification of the railway line, and the construction of a new bridge between Brčko and Gunja. However, the single most important prerequisite for our operations is the restoration of the Sava River navigation channel. In this regard, the demining of the right bank, announced today, is a crucial step towards the implementation of this major project." 

Key infrastructural upgrades successfully as part of the port modernisation project include: 

  • New High-Capacity Portal Crane: A €2.7 million state-of-the-art crane with a load capacity of 16.0/27.5 tonnes (three times larger than legacy infrastructure), lifting handling capacities to 150-200 tons per hour. 

  • Asphalt Operational Plateau: Construction of a newly engineered 4,500 square meter asphalt plateau featuring integrated rainwater drainage infrastructure to maximise handling efficiency and cargo safety. 

  • Comprehensive Railway Overhaul: The reconstruction of the industrial railway link connecting the port directly to the Brčko Novo railway station and surrounding industrial zones, alongside upgrades to the internal harbour crane paths. 

  • Access Road Infrastructure: Total rehabilitation of the 900-metre access road linking the port to Bijeljinska cesta, streamlining heavy vehicle cargo flow with the public road network. 

The "Demining of the Right Bank of the Sava River" project announced by Ambassador Soreca will safely clear a 40 km mine-exposed corridor spanning nine northern and north-eastern municipalities bordering the Sava river. Backed by an €8 million EU grant via the WBIF and a €30 million World Bank loan, the project is designed to unlock nearly €100 million in integrated inland waterway improvements, avoiding over 200,000 tons of CO2 emissions by shifting freight to lower-emission transport modes, and expanding trade across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia.