The total length of navigable canals currently amounts to:
- in Banat: 309 km
- in Bačka: 355 km
Waterway transport in Bačka and Banat has a long tradition. As early as the beginning of the last century, the first navigable canal in Bačka was built, connecting the Danube with the Tisa. The Bega (Begej) River was also canalized and navigable from Timișoara to the Tisa.
With the completion of the Basic Canal Network (OKM), the total length of the canals increased significantly. The older excavated canals were mostly reconstructed and integrated into the network of navigable routes.
Analyzing this function of the OKM, it can be concluded that waterway transport has developed intensively. With the expansion of the canal network, the construction of a new river fleet, and the development of ports, the volume of cargo transport has increased almost tenfold. However, the structure of transported goods is still unsatisfactory. Most of the cargo consists of gravel and oil (around 90% of total freight), while other goods such as coal, grains, artificial fertilizers, sugar beets, and others are either not transported at all or are only marginally represented.
The growth in water transport led to the construction of ports in both Banat and Bačka (for example, in Novi Bečej and Kikinda).
The navigable canals of the OKM have demonstrated high quality: stable water levels, adequate dimensions, modern vessel transfer systems, and satisfactory maintenance of navigable routes. There have been no significant disruptions to navigation, except during lock overhauls and occasional technical failures.
Further development of navigation on OKM canals requires new investments in river fleet capacity as well as the construction and equipping of canal ports.
When comparing the initially projected level of navigation to the current situation, it can be concluded that navigation has progressed successfully. The achieved volume of transport has exceeded expectations, likely due to the advantages that river transport holds over other modes—especially in times of energy shortages.
Looking at the current timeframe, up to the year 1980, projections show that navigation will continue to develop. Therefore, the development of port activities should be directed along the following lines:
- expansion of port services,
- introduction of new cargo handling technologies,
- increase in fleet capacity, and
- expansion of the canal network.
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