An Ambitious Infrastructure Project with Global Reach
The long-anticipated Budapest-Belgrade (BuBe) railway line is on track to be completed by 2025, according to the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó. This major infrastructure project is a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), enhancing connectivity between Central and Northern Europe with Southern European ports.
During a recent meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Szijjártó emphasized the strategic role of the BuBe line, particularly in relation to the Greek port of Piraeus, a critical logistics hub managed by the Chinese logistics giant COSCO. This development highlights Hungary’s deepening economic ties with China, a relationship that Hungary has described as a “clear success.” The importance of the BRI in Serbia is also noteworthy, as China has become the country’s top investor in recent years.
Progress and Milestones
The BuBe project has seen significant progress. In August 2022, the section connecting Szeged and Röszke in southern Hungary was reopened. This segment plays a central role as it is located near the Hungary-Serbia border. Earlier in March, another crucial milestone was achieved with the reopening of the line linking Belgrade to Novi Sad.
The overall budget for the BuBe railway’s reconstruction and upgrade is estimated at €4 billion. The project entails doubling the railway tracks and modernizing the signaling facilities, ensuring faster, safer, and more efficient transport. This modernized route will eventually support a broader vision: a continuous rail link stretching from Budapest to Athens via Skopje, Northern Macedonia.
A Strategic Hub for European Connectivity
The BuBe railway’s completion will have far-reaching implications for trade and logistics in the region. By offering a direct and modernized connection between Hungary and Serbia, it will strengthen supply chains and reduce transit times for goods moving between Southern European ports and the heart of Europe.
The project is being carried out through a joint venture involving Hungarian State Railways, China Railway International Corporation, and China Railway International Group. Its completion will not only be a win for regional development but also a testament to the growing influence of the Belt and Road Initiative in Europe.
With the end of construction scheduled for 2025, all eyes are on this strategic transport corridor, which promises to play a transformative role in regional trade and economic growth.
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