University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Transport and Communications Participates in International POLex 2026 Exercise in Koper

The University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Transport and Communications (UNSA – FSK), as a partner from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the ASAP – Adriatic Sensitive Areas Protection project, participated in the international POLex 2026 exercise, held on 23 and 24 September 2026 in Koper and the northern Adriatic area.

On behalf of UNSA – FSK, the event was attended by Associate Professor Dr. Adisa Hasković Džubur and Assistant Professor Dr. Aida Kalem, members of the ASAP project team. Together with representatives of partner institutions, European agencies, and operational services, they took part in a two-day program dedicated to improving readiness and cross-border cooperation in responding to marine pollution incidents.

POLex 2026 represented an important phase of practical implementation and testing of activities developed within the ASAP project. The exercise gathered nearly 200 participants from six partner countries, including representatives of European agencies, national institutions, project partners, operational teams, and observers.

During the operational part of the exercise, a coordinated response to a marine pollution incident was simulated. Activities at sea involved the offshore patrol vessel Ocean Sentinel of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), the Gregoretti vessel of the Italian Coast Guard, as well as Slovenian vessels and specialized equipment for responding to marine pollution. A special part of the exercise focused on the deployment and connection of protective barriers to prevent the spread of pollution.

For the ASAP project, the exercise was particularly significant as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed within the project were tested under real operational conditions. The CECIS MP 2.0 system was activated and tested, along with project equipment, including drifters for tracking pollution movement at sea. This enabled practical verification of procedures, communication mechanisms, and coordination between institutions of different countries.

In addition to sea operations, the program included presentations and expert sessions dedicated to assessing risks from maritime accidents and oil spills, resource mapping, modeling and forecasting pollution spread, shoreline cleanup procedures, real-time exercise monitoring, and demonstrations of responses to coastal area pollution. The two-day activities concluded with a joint analysis of the exercise and an exchange of experiences and lessons learned.

"Participation of the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Transport and Communications in the ASAP project confirms our commitment to linking scientific and professional knowledge with concrete practical challenges and needs. POLex 2026 demonstrated the importance of international cooperation and joint action, especially in responding to challenges that do not respect state borders. For our Faculty, such projects represent an opportunity to contribute, together with European and regional partners, to knowledge exchange, procedure improvement, and strengthening capacities for the protection of the Adriatic Sea," emphasized Professor Dr. Amel Kosovac, Dean of the Faculty and ASAP project manager.

Through its participation in POLex 2026, the Faculty continues its active contribution to the implementation of the ASAP project and international initiatives aimed at improving the safety and protection of the Adriatic Sea.