Tenth Annual Consultations

On June 4, the Port Governance Agency held its tenth regular annual consultations with the River Shipping Group and the Ports and Harbors Group of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, as well as the Danube Commission.

The Director of the Agency, Vuk Perović, emphasized that this year’s consultations were organized with the aim of hearing all questions and suggestions from the business sector. He noted that the Agency is currently participating in two international projects – ADRIREC and BREEZE – which aim to explore the possibilities of introducing clean energy into ports and harbors in Serbia. He invited shipping companies and port operators to initiate more frequent meetings with the Agency and the relevant ministry, if needed, in order to address important issues more efficiently and continuously.

Assistant Minister Aleksandar Banjac stated that the ministry is ready to support all industry proposals that contribute to the strengthening of waterborne transport in Serbia. He emphasized that ongoing projects and investments in infrastructure and navigation safety reflect the state's commitment to making this mode of transport sustainable, efficient, and competitive.

Representatives of the industry groups highlighted that they face various challenges in their operations, but that cooperation with state institutions plays an important role in overcoming them.

Dejan Trifunović from the Danube Commission, speaking about the performance of ports along the Danube, stated that Serbia ranks second in terms of cargo throughput. He stressed that the Commission is involved in activities focused on the introduction of alternative fuels and digitalization in the port sector.

In addition, the ADRIREC project – ADRIatic ports for Renewable Energy Communities – in which the Agency participates as an IPA partner, was presented. It was noted that the project will contribute to the utilization of renewable energy sources in the port sector to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase ports’ resilience to climate change.

Throughout the project’s implementation, various recommendations and innovative solutions are expected to be developed, with the goal of turning regional ports into low-carbon hubs that rely on clean, renewable energy.

Participants agreed that regular information exchange between the industry and competent institutions is essential for improving the business environment and finding responses to the challenges the sector is facing.

The next conference will be of a regional character, with expected participation from representatives of the Danube and Adriatic-Ionian regions.