Europe and Central Asia - The Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter - (Fall 2009) The Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter - (Fall 2009)

Available in: Hrvatski Public Disclosure Authorized

http://worldbank.org/croatiatti The Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter

Public Disclosure Authorized Issue No.2, Fall 2009

The first Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter was issued in March 2009, with the objective to strengthen the dialogue among corridor participants and to facilitate information sharing about ongoing corridor activities. This supports the overall development objectives of the Trade and Transport Integration (TTI) Project.

Welcome to the second issue of the Corridor newsletter, prepared with inputs from corridor participants. We are using this opportunity to thank the Ploče Port Authority (PPA), Croatian and BiH Railways, and the Ministries of Transport of and BiH for their contributions to this issue. We would appreciate your feedback on the content of our newsletter, so please send us your comments and ideas to [email protected]. We would also welcome your contributions for future editions, with a deadline of February 15, 2010 for the next edition. Public Disclosure Authorized For detailed information about the project, please visit the link below: http://worldbank.org/croatiatti

Contacts Hana Huzjak (Newsletter) [email protected] Gerald Ollivier (Team Leader) [email protected]

Cargo Throughput in the Port of Ploče

The major industrial companies in BiH, as well as port clients in Italy, Slovakia and Croatia have been severely impacted by the global crisis, which subsequently reflected on port traffic. In line with the drop in global

Public Disclosure Authorized trade, in the first eight months of 2009 total port traffic has dropped by 40%. At the same time, the container throughput decreased by 20%. Recovery of economic activities is expected in 2010, when the cargo throughput might reach the 2008 level, which was a record year for the Ploče port. Port Community System http://web.worldbank.org/...tMDK:22365250~menuPK:547254~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258599,00.html[12/13/2010 11:07:59 AM] and Central Asia - The Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter - (Fall 2009)

The development of the Port Community System (PCS) in Ploče is an integral part of the TTI project. The objective of the port PCS is the implementation of a simple, but efficient and cost effective information sharing and communication system, benefiting not only the Ploče participants, but also the ultimate port users and connecting with other world port systems. This would enable faster and more efficient planning, management and control of the port process and replace paperwork with electronic messages, reduce the time and improve coordination among participants.

PPA’s consultants, a Dutch joint venture lead by Amsterdam Port Consultants, are finalizing the 1st phase of the future PCS system, design and preparation of technical documentation for the 2nd phase of the project. By November 2009, the consultants will present the PCS design and technical specifications to the Management Board of the Port of Ploče Authority. The presentation would also be attended by BiH stakeholders (railway companies, port clients), as well as Croatian public institutions (Croatian Railways, Customs office, Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure).

It is expected that the bidding procedure for the 2nd phase of the project, including programming, hardware equipment, system implementation and staff training, would be launched in December 2009. For more information, contact Mr. Svemir Zekulić, PPA ([email protected]). Port of Ploče Container Terminal under Construction

In November 2007, the Port of Ploče Authority and “Konstruktor Inženjering” d.d. Split signed a contract for the Phase I of the new container terminal construction. The facilities include a 280-meter long operative quay with complete infrastructure, a storage area of 38.000 m2, a RO-RO ramp, a sea basin with a depth of 13.5 m for reception of container ships, and a service-stacking area that will enable an initial annual container throughput of about 60.000 TEU. The contractor completed preparation works on site, soil consolidation by execution of gravel piles, as well as most of the undersea dredging work in the sea basin. Currently, after completion of pile structure construction, contractor is progressing with construction of Ro-Ro ramp and the pier surface. All works are expected to be completed in early 2010. Railway Working Group

The most recent meeting of the railway working group took place in June 2009, in , and , to review the implementation of the Action Plan. The group noted that the original deadline for implementation of the planned activities, of 18 months, has elapsed. As the Plan has not been completed yet, the representatives of the Croatian Railways (HŽ) and BiH railways (Public Railway Corporation of BiH - BHŽJK, Railways of the Federation of BiH - ŽFBiH, and Railways of Republic of Srpska - ŽRS) have agreed to extend the implementation of the Action Plan for an indefinite period of time, i.e. until project completion.

The group noted progress in developing technical documentation for the modernization of Ploče freight yard, which is taking place in accordance with the contract. HŽ has completed and reviewed the preliminary designs for modernization of contact network in Ploče freight yard, as well as electrification of tracks. The documentation has been submitted to the Croatian county authorities, for obtaining the location permits. ŽFBIH reported that the selection of a contractor for rehabilitation of the Konjic- Čapljina section of the railway line 11 (Sarajevo- Čapljina-state border) is ongoing. The project documents for the rehabilitation of the Sarajevo-Bradina section have been completed. The planned overhaul of 6 locomotives has been finished, and additional 4 are under process. The first phase of Corridor Vc computerization, in areas under ŽFBiH and RS is on a trial run. There were no new activities to be reported by the representatives of ŽRS. The

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working group has agreed that the next working meeting would take place in Croatia, in late 2009. The Development of Rail Infrastructure along Corridor Vc, through BiH

While the TTI project does not support construction of rail infrastructure in BiH, development of infrastructure is relevant, in particular, for bulk cargo transport. The railway corridor Vc passing through is 406 kilometers long and electrified, with an average speed of 70 km/h. The railway lines are currently under rehabilitation, with the financing support of European banks. To date, the Bradina-Konjic section on the southern part of the corridor, connecting Sarajevo and Čapljina with the southern Croatian border, has been repaired. Due to unfavorable technical characteristics, not more than 30 pairs of trains per day can use this section. The repair works on the Konjic- Čapljina section, with current daily capacity of 18 to 21 trains, are expected to start in early 2010. Project documents for rehabilitation of Sarajevo- Bradina section have been prepared, and the financing is expected to be secured soon. The northern part of the Corridor (Sarajevo---Bosanski Šamac-northern Croatian border) requires an overhaul and other repair works on the sections Sarajevo-Podlugovi, -Doboj and Doboj-Šamac. In addition, reconstruction of power stations as well as modernization of signaling, safety devices and telecommunication systems is planned. BiH Ministry of Transport expects that by 2018 all sections would be rehabilitated to reach TER standards.

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