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The first voyage of the Budapest: A groundbreaking Hungarian river-sea ship
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Exactly 90 years ago, on 6 October 1934, a remarkable ship set sail from Budapest with the goal of reaching Alexandria, Egypt. This was no small riverboat, but a full-fledged sea-faring cargo ship carrying 50 railcars’ worth of goods—nearly 500 tons. The vessel, named Budapest and operated by the Hungarian River and Sea Shipping Company (MFTR), was part of a pioneering endeavor: launching river-sea navigation on the Danube.
Designing ships for rivers and oceans requires vastly different approaches. While ocean-going vessels must withstand massive waves and storms, river ships must navigate sandbanks and shallow waters. Seagoing vessels have deeper drafts, whereas their river counterparts must adapt to bridge heights and port infrastructure, reports PestBuda.
Hungarian engineers rose to the challenge by designing a ship capable of operating efficiently in both environments. The Budapest, measuring 56.2 meters long and 8.5 meters wide, met the requirements for both river and sea navigation. The ship was powered by Ganz–Jendrassik diesel engines, which drove generators for its electric propulsion system, allowing for significant space savings.
The maiden voyage and departure
Before setting off, the Budapest underwent a test voyage to Szob to ensure its systems functioned properly under full cargo load. A contemporary report from Budapesti Hírlap described the event:
“Before its departure, the Budapest completed a test voyage fully loaded. We accompanied the river-sea ship on its trial journey to Szob—an innovation not just for Hungary, but for the world.”
The ship’s captain was Ferenc Kádár, with László Korbuly serving as first officer. The crew was young and determined to successfully complete this historic journey.