Visit to the Port of Prahovo

The Port of Prahovo is one of Serbia’s key infrastructure projects. In accordance with the issued construction permit and the official notification of works, it is set to become a modern, sustainable, and one of the most attractive ports on the Danube. With all legal conditions fulfilled, construction works—covering reconstruction, expansion, and new development—are expected to begin shortly and to be completed within 40 months, stated Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Aleksandra Sofronijević. The statement followed her working meeting with the Mayor of Negotin, Vladimir Veličković, and a subsequent visit to the port, accompanied by representatives of the Port Governance Agency and the Harbour Master’s Office.

“This €45.5 million investment is fully financed from the budget of the Republic of Serbia. The first phase will involve the revitalization of a long-neglected winter berth, incorporating the latest sustainable and green solutions. It will also include the establishment of Serbia’s first green terminal for the collection of hazardous materials from vessels—a facility that has never existed before. This is a significant investment, but one we are proud to make, as we believe the long-term benefits will far outweigh the costs,” said Minister Sofronijević. She also noted that upon completion, the port’s capacity will increase from the current 1.4 million tonnes per year to over 3.2 million tonnes, positioning Prahovo as a key hub for transport and economic development—not only for the municipality of Negotin, but for the entire region of Eastern Serbia.

Prior to the port visit, the Minister and her team toured the company Elixir, which applies principles of sustainability, environmental protection, and green construction in the development of its production facilities and chemical manufacturing. Minister Sofronijević emphasized that the Government of Serbia and the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure strongly support both Elixir and the development of the Port of Prahovo, recognizing their strategic importance for the region.

She also highlighted plans for the port to function as a multimodal terminal, with renewed discussions planned with Bulgarian counterparts regarding the construction of a 30-kilometre railway connection—2 kilometres of which would lie on Serbian territory—linking to the Mokranje border crossing. This would ensure reliable cargo and service transport even during low water levels or difficult navigation conditions on the Danube.

“Your region is truly beautiful, rich in cultural events and diverse tourist destinations. I believe it is essential that the road network and supporting infrastructure be developed in such a way that more citizens from across Serbia can visit and experience the beauty of this part of our country. Serbia continues to build and grow without pause, and we eagerly await the start of works at the Port of Prahovo, as well as the realization of other infrastructure projects for the benefit of the people of Negotin—and indeed all citizens of Serbia,” Minister Sofronijević concluded.