By Manal El Warraky
The Slovenian Port of Koper has nearly 50 years of successful business cooperation with Egypt. On Tuesday, 22nd of October, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Egypt, a business meeting was held in Cairo. Representatives from the Port of Koper and the Koper’s port community, including forwarders and agents, presented the benefits and logistics services offered by the multi-purpose Port of Koper.
The event was opened with the opening remarks of H.E. Mr. Sašo Podlesnik, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Cairo, Admiral Nihad Shahin, Deputy Minister of Transport, Nevenka Kržan, President of the Management Board of Luka Koper, Eng. Medhat El Kady, Chairman of the Egyptian International Freight Forwarding Association and Eng. Mohamed Khalil, Chairman of the Maritime Transport Committee, who gave an update about the current situation and challenges in the logistic sector at the both ends of the Mediterranean. An insight to the recent developments on customs regulation and transport documentation was given by Mr. Čedomir Bojanič, from the Slovenian Association of Port Logistics Providers and Gracijan Necmeskal from the Slovenian Ship Agents and Brokers Association. After the event, the Slovenian delegation also visited the Port Authorities of Alexandria and Damietta – both ports have regular direct container services with Koper.
Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Admiral Nihad Shahin, emphasized the critical role strategic partnerships play in advancing the global shipping industry. “It is my pleasure and honour to be invited to this prestigious event – the Port of Koper – Luka Koper Business Event, which plays a significant role in shaping the future of the shipping industry. It is important to emphasize the strategic importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Egypt and Slovenia. Egypt, with its location as a gateway to Africa, and Slovenia, positioned as a gateway to Europe, offer a unique opportunity for collaboration. I look forward to greater cooperation between our two countries across all sectors.”
The cooperation between Luka Koper and Egyptian business partners has a long history, especially in the handling of perishable goods, like fruits and vegetables. This partnership is especially successful because of the short maritime transit time and easy access to the European markets. Efficient port operations, fast customs and phytosanitary procedures are essential to ensure a quality cold-chain logistics, with Luka Koper being one of important gateways in the region. In recent years, Luka Koper has also expanded cooperation with Egypt to other cargo segments, such as containers, general cargo, timber and dry bulk, handling annually around 1.7 million tons of various Egyptian cargo in import and export direction. However, there is potential for servicing also other commodities, such as finished vehicles or various project cargoes.
In order to support the increased cargo flows Luka Koper started an important investment cycle in 2023. The key projects are the expansion of the container terminal to increase the capacity to 1.75 million TEUs per year, as well as the construction of other facilities, such as new dedicated berths for general cargo and RO-RO, new automated warehouses for steel products and storage areas for cars. As Ms Nevenka Kržan, President of the Management Board of Luka Koper plc, pointed out, there will be around 780 million euros of investment in port facilities, digitalization, and green projects by 2028: “By expanding the capacity of the terminals, we are responding to the expectations of shipowners and logistics operators and strengthening our position among the North-Adriatic ports. The construction will follow the completion of the second railway track project Divača – Koper, which is expected to be completed in 2026, so that the Port of Koper, and all logistic operators who are connected with the port, will benefit from the advantages of the upgraded port and rail infrastructure in the first years of operation.«
