International cooperation

Port Governance Agency has a strong cooperation with international organizations and funds. Agency also actively monitors international regulations and standards in the field of inland waterway transport. The Agency is involved in the Negotiating Group on Transport (Ch 14) and the Negotiating Group on Trans-European Networks (Ch 21). The regulation regarding the IWT recognizes the huge potential of waterway transport as an alternative type of primarily freight transport and aims to promote and strengthen the competitiveness of inland waterway transport in the transport system as well as its integration into intermodal logistics flows. One of the key goals of the European Union is to establish an efficient Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and after EU accession, the main transport axes of the candidate countries for EU membership will become part of the expanded TEN-T network.

The Agency also has strong cooperation with international ports in order to connect, strengthen and create a suitable environment for the improvement of the port sector in the Republic of Serbia.

International projects

In 2019, Port Governance Agency successfully completed work on two international projects implemented within the cross-border and transnational cooperation program "Danube Transnational Program", in which PGA participated as an IPA partner.

Increased institutional capacity in Danube navigation by boosting joint transnational competences and skills in education and public development services- Danube SKILLS

Duration: 30 months (January 2017- June 2019)

The project consortium of 22 partners from eight countries sought to jointly address all challenges facing the Danube Basin countries over two and a half years. The aim of the activities was to boost transnational competences and knowledge.

During the project, the Port Governance Agency established the Danube Logistics Promotion Center as part of its official website. The role of the Center is to provide all interested parties with the most important and up-to-date information on Danube transport logistics in one place. The information is divided into thematic sections, referring to the state of the waterways, ports and terminals, freight transport and promotion of Danube logistics through publications and conferences.

Working on the Danube SKILLS project, the Port Governance Agency developed the ILIS software solution - Integrated Port Information System. In addition to the role of the port log, ILIS also serves as an information portal showing ports and passenger terminals with detailed information on operators, transshipment capacities, infrastructure and superstructure. The development and implementation of ILIS software is yet another activity of the Agency aiming at digitalization, simplification of procedures and improvement of services.

The results of the Danube SKILLS project will significantly contribute to the future integration of the Danube navigation and modern transport solutions. Furthermore, communication with commercial users on how to use port services in their daily activities will be expedited.

Danube Ports Network- DAPhNE

Duration: 30 months (January 2017- June 2019)

The project involved 16 partner institutions from seven countries. The objective of the project activities was to ensure the development of international ports on the Danube river. In this way, the ports will represent environmentally sustainable and accessible hubs in the regional transportation system, which will become significant commercial centres and contribute to the overall economic development.

One of the most important results of the project is the formation of the Danube Ports Network, which the Agency has joined this year. The network was set up to achieve all the goals of the DAPhNE project in the forthcoming period. The aim of the Network is to initiate new projects, strengthen communication between partners in line with the Danube port development strategy.

Throughout the project, the Agency developed and included in its daily operations Track and Trace software, an important segment of the overall Port Community System. The importance of Track and trace software is reflected primarily in the security aspect, since the platform allows tracking of ship movements in ports.

The enhanced cooperation achieved through the implemented results will lay a solid foundation for achieving the goals of improving port administration and port management throughout the Danube region.

Membership in International Organizations

European federation of inland ports- EFIP

Port Governance Agency became the first Serbian full member of the European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP). Admission to the membership was confirmed at the session of the General Assembly of the federation held on June 3, 2020, at which, among other things, the work of the Agency was presented.

Through its work in EFIP, the Agency will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge with European colleagues, in order to improve the port sector in Serbia. Membership in this important international organization will also contribute to the integration of our ports into the global transport chain.