Cargo ships on the Danube are better off in Slovakia

Unlike in other countries, the Slovak section of the Danube river is fully navigable for cargo shipping as of mid-August.

The banks of the low Danube river are seen in Mariaposching, southern Germany, Aug.1, 2018.The banks of the low Danube river are seen in Mariaposching, southern Germany, Aug.1, 2018. (Source: AP/TASR)

On the Slovak section and along the joint border sections of the Danube river with Hungary and Austria, navigation has been unlimited so far. In the Bratislava and Komárno harbours, however, more ships are docked and waiting for more favourable conditions on the Hungarian part of Danube, spokesperson of the Transport Authority Eva Oravcová told the TASR newswire.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

The low water level of the Danube, caused by heat-waves and lack of precipitation, has resulted in problems mainly for cargo ships along several sections of the Danube, mostly in Hungary, Serbia and Germany. Oravcová noted that ship masters are obliged to seek information, before as well as during the passage, on the current state of water levels on all sections of the water route they are travelling by and adjust their passage to the due conditions.

SkryťTurn off ads

The Slovak Navigation and Harbours (SPaP) shipping company told TASR that Hungary, Serbia, and Germany are facing complications. Due to the weather forecast, the situation is not expected to improve within the upcoming week either.

Top stories

Two bear incidents over weekend, an effort to revive Bratislava calvary, and storks in Trnava.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad