Workers and management of Montenegro’s Railway Infrastructure (ŽICG) held a multi-hour meeting yesterday that failed to reach an agreement on wage increases, extending the railway blockade into its fifth day.
The work stoppage by a group of 85 railway staff—including train dispatchers, telecommunication operators, and traffic controllers—has halted over 220 wagons, around 130 of which carry cargo intended for transshipment at the Port of Bar. Both freight and passenger traffic across the country have been paralyzed. Passengers are being transported daily by 25–30 buses as a temporary solution, while Montecargo reports losing approximately €20,000 per day due to the disruption.
Ilija Pješčić, Director of the Port of Bar, highlighted that prolonged delays could threaten multi-year contracts that generate most of the port’s revenue. Key agreements with Uniprom Metali Nikšić and ZiJin Bor, responsible for handling bauxite and copper concentrate, rely on regular rail transport for around 65% of the port’s annual transshipment volume. Any continued disruption risks diverting cargo flows to alternative logistics routes, potentially resulting in significant financial losses.
The port also faces risks related to a new coal transshipment contract for Elektroprivreda Srbije, valued at over €2.5 million, which depends on the proper functioning of the railway. Pješčić stressed that while employees’ rights to negotiate wages are recognized, the ongoing blockade poses substantial operational and financial risks to the port and its logistics partners.
Montecargo emphasized that the blockade undermines contractual obligations and could lead to the permanent loss of strategic clients, further destabilizing an already sensitive railway system. Both the port and Montecargo warned that competitors are actively offering alternative logistics solutions, which could permanently redirect cargo away from Montenegro if the situation persists.
Meanwhile, ŽPCG is managing passenger transport by deploying buses via public procurement contracts to maintain service continuity, acknowledging the operational and financial challenges of the blockade.
