The European Union has pledged €8 million to demine the right bank of the Sava River, a project announced by EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Luigi Soreca at a ceremony marking the completion of the modernisation of Brcko Port on 6 July 2026. The demining project, backed by an EU grant via the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and a €30 million World Bank loan, will clear a 40 km mine-exposed corridor across nine municipalities, aiming to unlock nearly €100 million in inland waterway improvements and shift freight to lower-emission transport, avoiding over 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The ceremony celebrated the completion of a €14.4 million modernisation of Brcko Port, the only international river port in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which began preparatory works in June 2021 and concluded in June 2026. The EU contributed a €3,080,800 non-repayable grant via WBIF, complemented by a €10 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and local contributions. Upgrades include a new high-capacity portal crane, a 4,500 square metre asphalt plateau, a comprehensive railway overhaul, and rehabilitation of the access road, enhancing the port's capacity to handle up to 200 tonnes per hour and linking river, rail, and road systems.
Ambassador Soreca highlighted the strategic importance of the port for economic growth and noted that half of the nearly €1 billion allocated to Bosnia and Herzegovina under the Growth Plan is reserved for infrastructure projects under WBIF. He called on authorities to seize investment opportunities. EBRD Head in Bosnia and Herzegovina Stela Melnic said the project improves connectivity and trade, while Brcko District Mayor Siniša Milić stressed that demining and dredging are necessary next steps. Perica Josić, Director of JP Luka Brčko, linked the port's further development to regional infrastructure projects like Corridor Vc and the restoration of the Sava navigation channel.