Bratislava's old Zimný prístav port. (source: TASR)
A large-scale modernisation of Bratislava's river ports is being prepared by Robert Fico's government. The cost is expected to be more than €178 million, reports Denník N daily.
State port operating company Verejné prístavy (Public Ports) has prepared the project. Currently, the capital's ports for cargo and passenger transport are in a state of disrepair.
EU money to the rescue
Transport Minister Jozef Ráž (Smer nom.) submitted a proposal to include the project among strategic investments, which would ensure faster permitting; this way the Finance Ministry's Value for Money unit does not have to assess its economic feasibility.
As the costs are very high, the government wants to use EU money for the project. Specifically, money that is linked to the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
The fact that Bratislava ports can become part of the EU's strategic transport routes and could be used in the transshipment of goods and materials necessary for the reconstruction of Ukraine increase the chance of obtaining the funds; everything necessary can be transferred to Ukrainian Black Sea ports via the Slovak ports on the Danube.
What should be modernised
The state company wants to modernise the cargo port in Bratislava, as well as the passenger ports in the Staré Mesto and Petržalka boroughs, i. e. on both banks of Danube.
The railway line to the freight station in Prievoz should also be reconstructed.
The most expensive part will be a new trimodal terminal that will combine rail, road and water transport. In addition to transshipment capacities the port areas themselves will be expanded.
The modernisation is to take place between 2025 and 2030.
