Port of Koper Highlights North Adriatic’s Role in Strengthening European Connectivity

Summary

The Port of Koper has highlighted the strategic importance of the North Adriatic in connecting the Mediterranean with Central and Eastern Europe. Speaking at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, port representatives and regional policymakers discussed infrastructure investment, transport connectivity and supply chain diversification as factors in strengthening Europe’s resilience amid geopolitical and logistical disruptions.

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Port of Koper Highlights Strategic Importance of Adriatic Connectivity

The Port of Koper has highlighted the growing role of the North Adriatic as a strategic transport gateway for Europe, linking Mediterranean shipping routes with markets across Central and Eastern Europe.

The issue was discussed at the Bled Strategic Forum during a panel titled The Adriatic Advantage: Infrastructure and Power in a Fragmented Europe. The discussion focused on the region’s transport and energy infrastructure, its potential for growth and its contribution to European supply chain resilience amid changing geopolitical conditions.

In his opening remarks, Slovenia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Jernej Vrtovec, said the Port of Koper serves not only Slovenia but also several countries across its hinterland. He emphasised cooperation among North Adriatic ports, regional connectivity and continued investment in port and railway infrastructure, particularly the second track of the Divača–Koper railway line.

Vrtovec described the Adriatic’s strategic value in terms of its connections between northern and southern Europe, as well as eastern and western markets. He also highlighted the need for improved connectivity to support greater resilience.

North Adriatic Ports See Scope for Growth

Nevenka Kržan, President of the Management Board of the Port of Koper, highlighted the potential of North Adriatic ports to serve a broad European hinterland through established transport connections.

She noted that the combined throughput of the region’s ports indicates scope for further growth. As disruptions to global supply chains continue to affect international trade, reliability of supply has also become a key consideration for transport and logistics networks.

Kržan emphasised cooperation among ports within the North Adriatic Ports Association (NAPA), pointing to the strategic advantages shared by ports in the region.

She also stressed that the Adriatic should not be positioned as an alternative to or competitor of Northern European ports, arguing that Europe needs both. Recent geopolitical and logistical disruptions, she noted, have exposed the risks associated with excessive dependence on individual ports, transport corridors and supply chains.

Supply Chain Diversification Supports Europe’s Resilience

The development of North Adriatic ports could provide additional handling capacity, shorter transport routes to key markets in Central and Eastern Europe, and greater diversification of European supply chains.

The region’s strategic position is supported by its geographical location, existing infrastructure, shipping connections and links with inland markets. Its operational capabilities and capacity to respond to changing transport requirements also contribute to its role in European logistics.

Further development of port and rail infrastructure could strengthen connections between maritime gateways and inland destinations, supporting the movement of goods across European markets and reducing dependence on individual transport routes.

The discussion at the Bled Strategic Forum placed the North Adriatic within the broader debate on European transport connectivity, infrastructure development and resilience in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical environment.

Regional and International Connectivity in Focus

The panel also featured George Hajipavli, Programme Coordinator for the Eastern Mediterranean at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford; Maurizio Maresca, Professor of International Law at the University of Udine; Francesco Maria Talò, Special Envoy for the IMEC Economic Corridor at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; and Romana Vlahutin, Special Envoy for Strategic Connectivity and Croatia’s national coordinator for the Three Seas Initiative.

The discussion was moderated by Valbona Zeneli, a Europe’s Futures Fellow initiative member and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council.

In India, Luka Koper is represented by Samsara Group as its strategic business partner.

FAQs

Why is the Port of Koper strategically important to Europe?

The Port of Koper connects maritime routes in the Adriatic and Mediterranean with inland markets in Central and Eastern Europe, serving Slovenia and several countries across its hinterland.

How can North Adriatic ports strengthen European supply chains?

North Adriatic ports can provide additional cargo-handling capacity, shorter transport routes to certain Central and Eastern European markets and greater diversification of supply chains, helping reduce dependence on individual transport corridors.

What infrastructure investment was highlighted at the Bled Strategic Forum?

The discussion highlighted investments in port and railway infrastructure, particularly the second track of the Divača–Koper railway line in Slovenia.

What role does NAPA play in North Adriatic port development?

The North Adriatic Ports Association (NAPA) provides a framework for cooperation among ports in the region, supporting coordination around shared strategic interests and regional connectivity.

Who represents Luka Koper in India?

Samsara Group represents Luka Koper in India as its strategic business partner.