Although a small country, Croatia is crossed by important transport corridors, Corridor X, Vb, Vb1 (corridors connecting the Adriatic seaports and destinations across the Euroasian area), Vc and Corridor VII, while investments to be allocated in the development of transport infrastructure will place Croatia on the list of significant countries in the Eurasian area in terms of freight traffic and logistics service supply.
Carrying on infrastructure projects and implementing new projects, both in the railway and maritime sectors, have stimulated the integration of the transport sector in Croatia and the development of transport and logistics services. To that end, Croatia’s collaboration with neighbouring countries in transportation includes the development and implementation of measures that would help improve cooperation with infrastructure managers. This also means harmonising activities in promoting the utilisation of transport corridors and elaborating joint solutions for track access charges. Moreover, it is also planned to improve collaboration in the allocation of investments for rail infrastructure projects, to implement measures aimed at rendering efficient cross-border procedures that would help reduce train travel time. To that end, it is very important for neighbouring countries, together with Croatia, to develop ICT systems for domestic and external data exchange. “It is necessary to collaborate with adjacent countries to gain efficiency in transport and boost traffic volumes shipped both on rails and on sea”, declared Ivan Matasic, Board Member HZ Infrastruktura (Croatia) during the WBSA “Railway Days” Summit. The projects undergone on Corridor X and Vb (Budapest – Zagreb – Rijeka) are very important for the transport system in Croatia. The latter corridor is a connection to the Rijeka Port, one of the largest ports in Croatia in terms of goods flow. To that end, the Transport Ministry is developing infrastructure projects to attract transport flows. “We are interested in attracting transport volumes. Therefore, we absolutely need infrastructure development and modernisation. This is the only way to provide efficient, safe and rapid transport services. When all countries will have a well-developed infrastructure, we will be able to talk about a single and efficient transport system. With this purpose in mind, the authorities’ implication and the appropriate implementation of specific policies are very important”, declared for Railway Pro, Ivan Matasic.
2012 – 2013 bring EUR 2 Billion infrastructure projects
To increase goods volume, the “Bosphorus Europe Express 25h” project, on Ljubljana–Zagreb–Belgrade–Sofia–Istanbul/Halkali route, is very important as it stimulates railway transport competitiveness compared to road and maritime modes, by increasing freight transport volumes. For Croatia, this project means increasing the quality level of services and safety standards and the operation of cars both by private and national operators. One of the great advantages of this project consists in accessing new markets by using smaller taxes and reducing travel time by 39% compared to road and maritime modes. For rail infrastructure projects, Croatia benefits from European Union funds for Corridor X and Vb. Projects include rehabilitation and modernisation works on line Dugo Selo – Novska and construction works on the second line Dugo Selo – Novska, both projects on Corridor X. For Corridor Vb, the construction of the second line is in plan (doubling the Zagreb – Rijeka line), doubling the Dugo Selo – Koprivnica line and construction of a link to Corridor VII (Danube with Croatian ports) by upgrading and electrifying the Vinkovci – Vukovar line. For 2010-2011, Croatia will benefit from EU funds estimated at EUR 65.75 Million through the Operational Programme for elaborating the technical documentation necessary on Corridor Vb. As for the entire railway network, Croatia has elaborated draft projects estimated at EUR 982 Million per year for modernisation, rehabilitation and construction of new lines for the period 2012-2013. “Infrastructure projects will be co-financed by EU with EUR 350 Million per year. In fact, over the next 2 years, Croatia will implement projects totalling EUR 2 Billion. We want to attract transport volumes to rail, but in order to do this, we will first have to invest in infrastructure. Indeed, Croatia has invested in roads so far, but now is the right time for tracks to go first”, concluded Ivan Matasic, during the WBSA “Railway Days” Summit.
by Pamela Luică
Share on:
