Montenegro’s Railway Infrastructure (ŽICG) faces significant challenges in modernizing its network, including limited financial resources, outdated systems and a shortage of qualified personnel. Dragan Radević, Assistant Executive Director for Investments and Foreign Investments, explained that the main issue is the age of the railway network, built decades ago to standards that differ from those of the European Union (EU).
Reconstruction of key infrastructure, such as tunnels and bridges, is particularly difficult due to the outdated specifications, with projects like the Sozina Tunnel requiring significant technical adjustments to meet EU standards for safety, ventilation and evacuation. If adapting the tunnel is not feasible, ŽICG is considering building a new tunnel.
Another challenge is implementing the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS), which requires aligning Montenegrin regulations with EU standards and upgrading equipment. This process also includes training specialized personnel.
Radević emphasized that large infrastructure projects, often co-financed by the EU, are critical for the country’s railway development. These projects involve all stages from planning and permitting to construction and system upgrades, such as the reconstruction of the Golubovci–Bar railway line and the Sozina Tunnel. With 75 million EUR secured from the European Investment Bank (EIB), ŽICG will reconstruct bridges and tunnels and improve signaling on the Bar–Vrbnica line.
ŽICG is also working on acquiring machinery for maintaining track geometry and infrastructure, funded by an 11 million EUR loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Radević highlighted the importance of international partnerships in modernizing Montenegro’s railway system, noting that these partnerships provide both financial and technical support.
Finally, projects like the reconstruction of the Golubovci–Bar section, the Nikšić–Čapljina railway, and a joint border station in Bijelo Polje aim to improve regional connectivity and streamline border control, enhancing both economic cooperation and security.
