Port of Koper: making waves in the Adriatic

The multipurpose port of Koper, Slovenia, located in the North Adriatic, is in close proximity to various big cities in Central Europe and in a very attractive location for fresh produce deliveries to Western and Eastern Europe – providing weekly dispatch to the UK and Moscow – for goods originating from the Eastern Mediterranean and Far East. It has a modern fruit terminal infrastructure and offers a high quality service of fast cross-docking and customs clearance 7 days a week, year-round.
The Port of Koper lies in the Northern Adriatic Sea, where the Mediterranean most deeply penetrates the European continent. Consequently, it represents the shortest link from the Far East via Suez to Central and South-Eastern European markets, with excellent road and railway connections, and a sea distance about 2,000 nm shorter than other North-European ports. The port’s hinterland covers a vast area with a high economic potential and rapidly developing economies. The most important European business centres are less than a day away from Koper. This is why in addition to Slovenia, the major inland markets of Port of Koper are Austria, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bavaria and Poland. Its location is not the port’s only advantage. It is a modern, well-organised and well-equipped multipurpose port. It operates day and night, all year long. The port is an approved EU border inspection post and the entire area has free zone status. The basic port activities in Koper take place in 12 terminals specialized in handling and warehousing various types of goods, such as containers, general cargo, fruit and perishable goods, livestock, vehicles, timber, dry bulk and liquid cargoes. Moreover, to fully meet customers’ needs, ‘Luka Koper’ also performs a variety of additional services that add to the value of goods.
In 2013, the Koper port continued its growth in various cargo types via 12 different terminals, exceeding 18 million tons of throughput, most of it being exports and imports for the hinterland markets of Slovenia. The container terminal reached 600,000 TEU, again being ranked first among Adriatic ports. Since obtaining the status of an official EU port of entry in 2004, the Port of Koper has enjoyed continuous growth in various cargoes. Fresh produce is the most sensitive and demanding cargo, requiring excellent service by everyone in the chain from arrival at the port to the promptest possible departure. 

Customs-cleared goods by reefer truck just a few hours later
Its high demand clients (exporters and importers) have awarded Port of Koper a reputation as a reliable, safe, high quality and flexible service provider.
Koper port is certified to ISO 9001, 14001, 22000, BS OHSAS, EFQM, HACCP and has ECO certification for organic produce. Koper port continually invests in the upgrade of its facilities: modern equipped cold stores at the fruit terminal offer storage of up to 16,000 pallets, an area of 26,000 m2 and 1,500 pallets in the refrigerated rooms, and an area of 2,000 m2 at -180 C. Last year, this major gateway handled 9,000 40’ reefer containers containing 220,000 pallets. In the peak season, most containers arrive twice-weekly from Israel – up to 400 40’ reefers weekly – and are swiftly dispatched to various European destinations in Germany, Holland, Poland, Austria, Switzerland and the UK, and occasionally also to Moscow. This season, improved weekly arrivals from Egypt have been observed, and recently also citrus from Turkey. Arrivals of grapes from India, which started last season, are expected to continue. More and more goods are reaching supermarket shelves direct from Koper. Year-round for the last four years, fresh cut flowers and herbs have arrived from Israel for dispatch to the Dutch auction. The port also handles bananas all year, more of which are arriving in containers, in addition to those in conventional reefer ships. Banana ripening in the port’s ripening chambers is also available.
CV