Slovak government plans €200mn port upgrade in Bratislava.

A comprehensive modernisation plan for Bratislava’s river ports is in the works, with the Slovak government under Robert Fico aiming to rejuvenate the capital’s aging cargo and passenger transport facilities. The project, spearheaded by state-run company Verejné prístavy (Public Ports), comes with an estimated cost of over €178 million.

Transport Minister Jozef Ráž has proposed designating the project as a strategic investment to streamline the approval process, allowing it to bypass a detailed economic feasibility review by the Finance Ministry's Value for Money unit.

The government is looking to the European Union for financial support, particularly from funds earmarked for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Bratislava’s ports, strategically located on the Danube, could serve as critical transit points for goods and materials bound for Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, enhancing the likelihood of receiving EU funding.

The proposed upgrades include the modernisation of cargo and passenger ports in the Staré Mesto and Petržalka districts, along with the reconstruction of the railway line to the freight station in Prievoz. The most significant investment will be in a new trimodal terminal, which will integrate rail, road, and water transport, expanding the port’s transshipment capabilities.

The project is slated for completion between 2025 and 2030, positioning Bratislava as a key hub for both domestic and international logistics, particularly in the context of Ukraine's rebuilding efforts.