Port Highlight: Port Governance Agency (PGA)

Press Releases

18 October 2023

EFIP is very excited to organise its 2023Executive Committee Meeting in Belgrade, hosted by the Port Governance Agency.

Can you give us a short introduction of PGA?
Port Governance Agency (PGA) is a governmental institution established by the Government of the Republic of Serbia. It represents port authority for all ports and terminals in our country. We have three important roles: regulatory, professional and development role. Our aim is to set up a regulated system and network of ports and terminals, which enables efficient movement of goods and passengers. The first decade of operation has been marked by significant achievements - the establishment of a strong legal framework, relevant analyses of cargo and passenger traffic volumes, investments in port infrastructure, open dialogues with stakeholders, digitalization of business procedures, initiation of projects related to environmental protection in ports, and the establishment of an international partnership network.

Vuk Perović, Director Of The Port Governance Agency

How does the PGA see its position in the centre of Danube region and the wider European Transport network?

The Republic of Serbia has an excellent geographical location. It is situated along the middle course of the Danube River, as a bridge between the East and the West. The navigability of the Danube within Serbia is classified as Category 7, making it highly accessible for shipping. Thanks to its favourable location and the quality of its waterways, Serbia has the potential to facilitate the flow of a great volume of goods traveling between seaports and Central Europe, and vice versa. In this regard, the position is highly advantageous for further developing ports and connecting them with road and rail corridors.



Under the TEN-T revision the network will be expanded to include more inland shipping along the Danube. What benefits do you think this will give the Serbian ports?
The planned expansion of the TEN-T network will primarily enhance the visibility of Serbian ports. Furthermore, it will improve the quality of port services. Additionally, it will enable a more efficient utilisation of ports and increased cargo traffic within the transportation chain. On the other hand, this will create a favourable environment for the development of industrial activities in the hinterland of the ports. Inclusion in the network also carries certain obligations in terms of compliance with the conditions set in the TEN-T network Directive. Accordingly, we can expect greater investments in the ports and their access infrastructure.

How important is the development of the Serbian ports in relation to the accession process to the EU?
The foundation for the European Union is the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, which is essentially a trade agreement among the signatory countries. One of the key factors for enabling efficient and free trade between nations is the establishment of a high-quality transportation network. In this way, through the further development of ports and the TEN-T network, Serbia becomes part of the family of European countries that are well interconnected through transport infrastructure.

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