After the completion of the cleaning works of the section of the Nemunas River in Birštonu, more boats and tourists are expected

After the cleaning works, a passage of 30 m wide and about 1.5 m deep will be formed by the pier, the navigation conditions in the region will be improved.

"Nemun was abandoned for a long time, now its revival is underway. Nemunas cleaning works started last year in Biršton will soon be completed, so the resort has ambitions to become a small port city. The city's infrastructure is suitable for this, and after the improvement of shipping conditions, yachts and larger ships should arrive here from the Kaunas lagoon," Birštonas municipality mayor Nijolė Dirginčienė shared the plans.

"We see that interest in recreation on the water is growing. In Nemunae, there are already intensive routes of pleasure and passenger ships at Birštonas, smaller ships are moored at the quayside. This shows that water tourism is interesting for Lithuanians, and swimming in the Nemunas is a kind of exoticism of the country. After the shoal removal works are completed, I have no doubt that the resort will receive more boats, tourists and businesses located on the coast", says Rūta Kapačinskaitė, director of the Birštonas Tourism Information Center.

The problem arose more than 10 years ago, when alluvium formed a shoal near the Birštonas stationary pier and its use became difficult - larger lavas could not enter the pier's water area and moor at the pier's embankment. Only ships of small dimensions and low draft could do this. There was no passage under the pier, where the "reservoir" had formed.

"The aim of the Directorate of Inland Waterways is to improve the navigation conditions on the roads that are already in operation and are used intensively for navigation, where the removal of shoals and other obstacles have not been carried out, and to increase the length of the waterways in operation, to open the Nemunas to uninterrupted navigation along the entire length of the river in the territory of Lithuania. We are ready to carry out all waterway opening works. The question of financing is fundamental, although the cost of installing waterways is significantly cheaper compared to land roads. Shipping is clearly growing in popularity, which is directly related to improving conditions in waterways, developing ports and other infrastructure. Recently accelerated projects give reasonable hope to see in the near future recreational navigation on the Nemunas with the same intensity as it takes place on other large European rivers", Vladimiras Vinokurovas, Director General of the Directorate of Inland Waterways, shares his future plans.

AB Vidaus Waterways Directorate carries out work in the upper reaches of the Nemunas River with special equipment - dredges/dredges, intended for channel cleaning works in shallow waters. Alluvial removal works have started from the upper side, about half of the cleaning work has already been completed.

Currently, the dredger continues to work to connect the outfall to the main waterway. The bearing soil is poured on the top of the shoal and on the other side of the shoal with the help of a soil conductor. This method of pouring alluvium does not block the main waterway, ships can pass through it freely.

After the cleaning works, a passage of 30 m wide and about 1.5 m deep (this depth will be there even at low water level) will be formed by the pier, which can be used by both small pleasure boats and passenger ships. The planned completion of the works is June.

"There really is a problem, I have helped yachts to sail more than once. Once the shoal is removed, it will be better for ships to pass, and we will be able to turn around. If they make the right depth, we won't have to turn our heads and we will be able to moor without problems, because now it is very important to watch the bottom, especially for those who do not have a depth gauge", says Linas Stankevičius, a pleasure boat captain working in Biršton.

Five public pontoons and one stationary pier have been installed on the quay at Birštonu, and the municipality plans to erect special signs and boards with instructions for use this season, so that public piers can be distinguished from private ones. The pontoon piers are loaded and ready for use for the new shipping season.