Key facts
- Low water levels in the Danube River have exposed numerous World War II German warships.
- These ships were scuttled by German crews in 1944 to block the advancing Red Army.
- An EU-backed project is underway to salvage 21 of the most obstructive wrecks.
- The European Investment Bank is providing funding and strategic partnership for the salvage operation.
- The project aims to improve navigation and reduce annual economic losses estimated at five million euros.
- The salvage work is expected to be completed by 2028.
Persistent heatwaves have caused significantly low water levels in the Danube River, leading to the emergence of numerous World War II German warships from the riverbed near Prahovo, Serbia. These vessels were scuttled by their crews in 1944 as they retreated from the advancing Red Army, intended to block upstream navigation.
An EU-backed project, operating under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and with the European Investment Bank (EIB) as a strategic partner, is now working to salvage 21 of the most obstructive wrecks. Some of these remnants were recovered in 2024, with the entire operation anticipated to conclude by 2028. Before the salvage efforts began, it was estimated that around 200 vessels, including cargo ships, tugs, and barges, lay on the Danube's bed.
Salvaging these vessels, particularly those that may still contain ammunition, presents significant challenges and risks of explosion. The economic rationale for the project is substantial, as the debris has caused considerable delays in freight transport, resulting in estimated annual losses of approximately five million euros for Serbia. In July 2024, the EIB provided a subsidy of 16 million euros to support the initiative, which is part of a broader 30 billion euro Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans aimed at enhancing inland navigation competitiveness and shifting freight traffic from roads to waterways.