Hungary uses Caterpillar excavator to deepen Danube near Nagymaros as water hits record low

Record‑low water levels on the Danube near the town of Nagymaros in Hungary have reduced the depth of the ferry‑port channel, threatening the ability of the Komp‑kikötő ferry to approach its ramp safely. On 30‑31 July 2026 a large track‑type Caterpillar excavator was deployed directly in the river to remove accumulated sediment and deepen the channel, ensuring sufficient water depth for the ferry’s operation. The machine’s wide tracks allow it to work on the soft, muddy riverbed where conventional wheeled equipment would sink. The effort is part of a broader response to unusually low river levels affecting navigation on this stretch of the Danube.