First German WWII ships removed from Danube

First German WWII ships removed from Danube

15-08-2024

Two of the sunken vessels cluttering the Danube in Serbia have been removed during the summer, taking advantage of the river’s low water levels. The removal was carried out as part of the WBIF flagship project, financed by the European Union (€16.4 million investment grant) and the European Investment Bank (€13.2 million loan). The ships were deliberately sunk by the retreating German army in 1944, and still contain explosive materials, making their removal a dangerous endeavour. Their presence restricts the navigability of the Danube from 180 metres to just 100 metres at the Djerdap Gorge, on the border with Romania.

The Danube is the only river in Serbia that is part of the Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean European Rhine-Danube Transport Corridor, so clearing these bottlenecks is crucial for improving sustainable transport in the region.

When the project was approved, European Union Ambassador in Serbia Emanuele Giaufret said: "Transportation by inland waterways is very suitable for large cargo. As an example, one ship can carry the same amount of grain as 120 trucks. These investments are practical examples of the EU's commitment to the Economic and Investment Plan as well as the Green Agenda, which is in focus in both member and partner states."

Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Goran Vesić said that two ships have been recovered so far and that 19 more ships remain to be recovered in the first phase.


Sunken WWII ships video (c) WBIF, 2022

The project has been identified as Flagship 1 - Connecting East to West, in the EU Economic and Investment PIan for the Western Balkans 2021-2027.


For more details on this flagship project: https://wbif.eu/en/10-years-success-stories/success-stories/eu-supported-removal-sunken-wwii-german-fleet-danube-river