ENG
SLO
HRV
BIH
SRBKick-off Conference of the SAWA Project
The kick-off conference of the SAWA Project - “Rehabilitation of the Sava River Waterway on the Section from Račinovci to Sisak”, implemented by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia through the Agency for Inland Waterways, was convened on 12 May 2026 and organized by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce - County Chamber Slavonski Brod. Participants were formally welcomed by the Business Secretary of the County Chamber of Slavonski BrodMr. Tomislav Tekić, who emphasised the significance of initiatives that foster economic and regional development and enhance transport connectivity along the Sava River corridor.
On behalf of the Ministry, Director of the Directorate for Inland Navigation in the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Ms. Duška Kunštek addressed the participants, emphasizing the significance of the SAWA Project in the continued revitalization of the international Sava River waterway, the enhancement of the TEN-T network, and the necessity for a coordinated cross-border approach to project implementation.
On behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Republika Srpska, the Assistant Minister for Railway, Water, and Air Transport, Ms. Vesna Vožni, addressed the participants, emphasizing the significance of cross-border collaboration and ongoing support for initiatives aimed at enhancing navigation along the Sava River. She noted that a substantial portion of this waterway constitutes the shared border between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Key project activities and the implementation plan were presented by the Head of Regional Office for Inland Waterways Vukovar Mr. Andrija Spaić, who emphasised the preparation of study and design documentation and coordination among all competent institutions for future interventions at critical sections of the waterway.
During the conference, the activities of the International Sava River Basin Commission were also presented, providing expert and technical contributions pertinent to the implementation of the SAWA Project. This included the development of a hydrological database and models for Sava River Basin management. The presentation was delivered by the Deputy Secretary for Navigation in the ISRBC in the ISRBC Secretariat Mr. Krunoslav Sopček, who emphasized the role of the Sava Commission as an associated project partner and a member of the project governance mechanisms, aimed at ensuring a coordinated cross-border approach and alignment with the international framework for Sava River Basin management.
The conference convened representatives from the competent ministries of the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, port authorities and harbourmasters’ offices along the Sava River, navigation safety services, business sector representatives, and other pertinent stakeholders from the inland navigation and water management sectors.
On behalf of the Ministry, Director of the Directorate for Inland Navigation in the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Ms. Duška Kunštek addressed the participants, emphasizing the significance of the SAWA Project in the continued revitalization of the international Sava River waterway, the enhancement of the TEN-T network, and the necessity for a coordinated cross-border approach to project implementation.
On behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Republika Srpska, the Assistant Minister for Railway, Water, and Air Transport, Ms. Vesna Vožni, addressed the participants, emphasizing the significance of cross-border collaboration and ongoing support for initiatives aimed at enhancing navigation along the Sava River. She noted that a substantial portion of this waterway constitutes the shared border between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Key project activities and the implementation plan were presented by the Head of Regional Office for Inland Waterways Vukovar Mr. Andrija Spaić, who emphasised the preparation of study and design documentation and coordination among all competent institutions for future interventions at critical sections of the waterway.
During the conference, the activities of the International Sava River Basin Commission were also presented, providing expert and technical contributions pertinent to the implementation of the SAWA Project. This included the development of a hydrological database and models for Sava River Basin management. The presentation was delivered by the Deputy Secretary for Navigation in the ISRBC in the ISRBC Secretariat Mr. Krunoslav Sopček, who emphasized the role of the Sava Commission as an associated project partner and a member of the project governance mechanisms, aimed at ensuring a coordinated cross-border approach and alignment with the international framework for Sava River Basin management.
The conference convened representatives from the competent ministries of the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, port authorities and harbourmasters’ offices along the Sava River, navigation safety services, business sector representatives, and other pertinent stakeholders from the inland navigation and water management sectors.