The first of two TBM machines, commonly known as “moles”, intended for excavating the underground tunnels of the Belgrade Metro's Line 1, arrived today at the Port of Pančevo, marking a significant milestone in preparations for the start of metro tunnel construction.
The machine, measuring 108 meters in length and weighing approximately 1,800 tons, represents a complex engineering system whose delivery to Serbia was carried out through an intricate international logistics operation. Transport was organized in multiple phases across different modes of transit. Certain components of the TBM machine were delivered by road from the Port of Constanța in Romania, utilizing 29 trucks, and are already in Serbia, stored in Belgrade. The main section of the machine was transported by sea from China to Europe and subsequently via the Danube River to the Port of Pančevo, where it arrived today.
In the upcoming period, the main body of the machine will be transported from the Port of Pančevo to the launch site at the location of the future “Bele Vode” station in Makiš, where assembly and technical preparation for the start of tunnel excavation will take place. The second TBM machine, also designated for constructing the underground tunnels of Line 1, is currently en route to Serbia.
The operational plan calls for one TBM machine to begin excavation from the future “Bele Vode” station in Makiš toward the “Sajam” station, while the second machine will commence operations from the launch shaft in Karaburma, near the Pančevo Bridge. The underground tunnel, with a total length of approximately 11 kilometers, is divided into two sections, enabling both machines to execute work simultaneously from opposite sides of the alignment and advance toward each other. This operational structure will allow for a more efficient execution of one of the most technically demanding segments of Line 1.
Both TBM machines were manufactured at the CRCHI (China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation) facility in Changsha, China, where they successfully passed Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). During testing, all key mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and control systems were verified, confirming that the machines meet all prescribed technical standards and are fully prepared for transport and upcoming project milestones.
The arrival of the first TBM machine in Serbia marks the beginning of a new phase in preparing for the construction of the underground section of the Belgrade Metro's Line 1 and represents concrete progress toward delivering one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Belgrade.
PUC “Belgrade Metro and Train” continues to carry out activities alongside domestic and international partners to build a modern metro system that will significantly enhance public transport and traffic connectivity in Belgrade.
