Construction of International Passenger Terminal Begins in Sremski Karlovci

Construction works on the international passenger terminal in Sremski Karlovci began today, in the presence of Vuk Perović, Director of the Port Governance Agency, Uroš Kandić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Youth, and Dražen Đurđić, President of the Municipality of Sremski Karlovci.

Perović emphasized that with the construction of the terminal, cruise ships sailing along the Danube will gain another docking destination. “Sremski Karlovci has been recognized as an important location for attracting cruise ships on the Danube, as well as for the development of the Upper Danube region. This project represents a continuation of the state’s intensive investments in cruising infrastructure, through which we are expanding the network of ports and connecting with the entire world. Let me remind you that twenty years ago, in Serbia — a country with exceptional nautical potential — we had only one terminal, and today, in ten locations, we are opening gateways to passengers from all over the world. Nautical seasons in Serbia have been recording constant and steady growth, and we expect the terminal in Karlovci to contribute to even better results on our shores,” he said, announcing that in the coming period, in addition to Sremski Karlovci, new terminals will be opened on the Danube in Apatin, Banoštor, and Ram.

“In this way, we will complete the entire infrastructure for receiving cruise ships in Serbia,” Perović stressed.

He pointed out that, alongside works at the location itself, the reconstruction of the pontoon intended for the international passenger terminal in Sremski Karlovci is also underway. “It is planned that the pontoon will receive a superstructure with premises for the border police, customs, and the port operator. The reconstruction of the pontoon, construction of the access bridge, and installation of six steel piles will enable the safe mooring of vessels up to 135 meters in length. The total investment in this terminal amounts to €850,000,” Perović explained, adding that the Agency will issue a public call to select the operator that will manage the Sremski Karlovci terminal.

“We expect the first cruise ships to arrive in Karlovci in the next nautical season,” Perović stated.

Reflecting on nautical seasons in Serbia, Perović highlighted the continuous growth in the number of port calls and passengers and assessed that the Sremski Karlovci terminal will contribute to even better results in the upcoming seasons.

Uroš Kandić pointed out that the Ministry of Tourism and Youth has invested more than three billion dinars in tourism infrastructure in Vojvodina over the past decade. “There is hardly a municipality or city where we have not financed some project. Nautical tourism is a very important resource for increasing the number of foreign guests, as evidenced by the fact that, in the first six months, 10 percent more guests disembarked at passenger terminals compared to the same period last year. That is why it is important that next year the terminals in Sremski Karlovci and Banoštor are put into operation, which will contribute to the further development of tourism on Fruška Gora, which may be the most promising tourist destination in the country,” Kandić emphasized.

President of the Municipality Dražen Đurđić said that the international passenger terminal represents an important infrastructural and development step for Sremski Karlovci, which, in his words, are located on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube. “It is time to put this natural and strategic advantage into the service of further development of Sremski Karlovci. Nautical tourism is on the rise throughout the region, and our goal is to become an indispensable stop on the map of all river travelers, lovers of navigation, and the Danube. By building a modern terminal, we will not only enable the docking of tourist cruise ships but also open the door to new business and tourism opportunities - from hospitality and accommodation capacities to excursion offers and cultural events,” said Đurđić.

He underlined that Karlovci is a place of rich history, culture, and spirituality. “Guests who dock here will have the opportunity to visit landmarks such as the Cathedral Church of Saint Nicholas, the Patriarch’s Palace, the Karlovci Theological Seminary, the Karlovci Grammar School, as well as the Beekeeping Museum, the Chapel of Peace — the site where the Treaty of Karlowitz was signed — and many wineries where the tradition of top-quality wine has been nurtured for decades. There is also the famous kuglof cake, the gastronomic offer, events such as our Grape Ball, as well as local products characteristic of this area. Thanks to this project, we will further connect the tourist, cultural, and natural offer of Sremski Karlovci with the Danube, which will significantly contribute to the development of the local economy and employment, especially in the tourism and hospitality sector. This is just one in a series of steps we are taking toward making Sremski Karlovci a recognizable and desirable destination throughout the year - both for domestic and foreign guests,” he concluded.

The construction of the terminal in Sremski Karlovci is one of the activities within the flagship project “Sail through Serbia,” which aims to develop infrastructure for river passenger traffic and further utilize nautical potential. In addition to encouraging the local economy, the project also contributes to higher revenues from nautical tourism, strengthening the tourism offer, and positioning Serbia as an important river destination on the nautical map of Europe and the world.