2010年-世界发展银行全球_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_-_The_Road_to_Europe___Annex_5_Inland_Waterways_Transport_-_Realizing_the_Potential_34页_585kb

Summary of Annex 5: Inland Waterways Transport - Realizing the Potential

Core Content

This document provides an overview of the current status and potential of inland waterways transport (IWT) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH), with a focus on the Sava River and its associated ports. It outlines the institutional framework, infrastructure conditions, and policy recommendations for improving the IWT sector in BH, in line with European Union (EU) standards and regional cooperation mechanisms.

Main Points

1. Historical and Current Status of the Sava River

• Before 1990: The Sava River played a significant role in regional waterway transport, with navigation possible for 683 river kilometers (rkm) from the Danube to Rugvica.
• Post-1990: The river's navigability has been severely impacted by the conflict, with infrastructure destroyed and the area heavily mined.
• Current Situation: Navigation on the Sava is limited, with only 100 days of operability in some upper sections. Annual freight traffic has remained low, below 400,000 tons.
• Port Locations: Three major inland ports exist in BH: Šamac (rkm 306), Brčko (rkm 221/225), and Bosanski Brod (rkm 368).
• Historical Capacity:
  • Šamac port: Originally designed for 1 million tons/year, served industrial clients in the hinterland.
  • Brčko port: Capacity of 670,000–750,000 tons/year, with the Tuzla-Zenica region as the main hinterland.
• Future Potential: With the reopening of key industries like Zenica Iron & Steel Works and KHK coke factory, and new developments, the potential for increased freight traffic is significant. Feasibility studies suggest up to 5.2 million tons/year could be achieved by 2012 if navigability is improved.

2. Institutional Framework

• EU Dimension:

  • The EU promotes IWT as a sustainable and environmentally-friendly transport mode.
  • Key EU directives include:
    • Market liberalization (Council Regulation 1356/96/EC and 3921/91/EEC).
    • Harmonization of qualifications and certificates (Directives 87/540/EEC, 91/672/EEC, 96/50/EC).
    • Free chartering and pricing (Directive 96/75/EC).
    • Technical and safety standards (Directives 76/135/EEC and 82/714/EEC).
    • River Information System (RIS) development (Directive 2005/44/EC).
  • The EU’s NAIADES program and PLATINA project aim to enhance IWT competitiveness and infrastructure.
  • The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is relevant, requiring sustainable water management and consideration of environmental impacts.

• Regional Dimension:

  • The Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin (FASRB), signed in 2002, establishes the international navigation regime on the Sava and its tributaries.
  • The International Sava River Basin Commission (ISRBC) is responsible for coordinating navigation, setting fees, and developing the river infrastructure.
  • The ISRBC has decided to rehabilitate the Sava to Class Va from Belgrade to Brčko and to Class IV from Brčko to Sisak, which would allow for larger vessels (up to 3,000 tons).
  • A river information system (RIS) is being developed in a pilot phase, with each country installing a base station on land and on a vessel.

• National Dimension:

  • IWT in BH is governed by entity-level laws, with responsibilities divided between the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBH), Republika Srpska (RS), and the Brčko Administrative District (BAD).
  • The state ministry of communications and transport (MOCT) is responsible for international and inter-entity water infrastructure, while entity ministries handle intra-entity transport.
  • A national law on inland water transport is still in draft form and has not yet been adopted.
  • There is no BH merchant fleet or ship register, and most vessels are registered in Serbia.
  • Customs services are organized in all Sava ports, including a customs terminal at Brčko for heavy duty vehicles.

Key Information

• The Sava River is a critical international waterway, forming part of the EU’s inland transport network.
• Navigation restrictions and lack of maintenance have severely limited the river’s usage.
• Port capacity and operational days have been historically low, but industrial revival offers new potential.
• The ISRBC plays a central role in coordinating the Sava waterway, setting standards, and managing infrastructure.
• EU directives require BH to align its IWT regulations with the acquis communautaire, particularly in areas like cabotage, professional access, certification, and technical and safety conditions.
• Lack of harmonization at the national level hampers the development of a competitive and efficient IWT sector.

Recommendations

• Institutional improvements are necessary to align BH’s IWT framework with EU standards.
• Infrastructure rehabilitation is critical, especially for the upper sections of the Sava River.
• Public port upgrades are required to enhance service quality and reliability.
• Development of a national ship register and merchant fleet should be prioritized.
• Harmonization of regulations and mutual recognition of certifications between entities and with the EU is essential.
• Implementation of a river information system (RIS) will improve logistics integration and safety.

Conclusion

The Sava River and its ports in Bosnia and Herzegovina hold significant potential for inland waterway transport, but this potential remains underutilized due to institutional fragmentation, infrastructure decay, and lack of harmonization with EU standards. With proper investment and policy alignment, the IWT sector could become a more competitive and sustainable part of BH’s transport system.