Slovenian Port Seeks Stronger Transport Links with Kazakhstan

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ASTANA – Slovenia’s Port of Koper sees opportunities to strengthen transport links with Kazakhstan through the Middle Corridor and share its digital port-management expertise to improve cargo handling and logistics efficiency, said Nevenka Kržan, president of the port’s management board, in an interview with The Astana Times.

The potential cooperation comes as Kazakhstan seeks to strengthen its position along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, which connects Asia and Europe through Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Türkiye.

Kržan said Luka Koper had developed its own information technology systems in cooperation with an IT company, supporting billing, predictive analytics, storage planning and warehouse management. These systems could offer useful experience for Kazakhstan’s ports as they work to improve operational efficiency and handle growing cargo volumes.

“We are always ready and willing to assist. We developed our own IT systems, which have grown with us over the years, and they could be useful for your ports as well,” she said.

The port’s digital systems allow operators to track cargo in real time and manage storage more efficiently. Kržan said the port can locate individual vehicles among tens of thousands stored on its premises.

“We can have almost 45,000 cars in the port at one time, and we know where each car is. Our systems are efficient, predictive and operate in real time,” she said.

Building stronger links with Kazakhstan

Kržan described her visit to Kazakhstan as an initial step toward identifying opportunities for closer cooperation. She noted that Luka Koper would like to establish direct connections with Kazakh railway operators, freight forwarders, logistics companies and agents.

“We have a very active port community. We know that without freight forwarders, agents and logistics companies, we cannot do anything on our own,” she said, emphasizing the importance of coordination across the logistics chain.

She added that cooperation could extend beyond commercial arrangements to exchanging best practices and improving coordination among ports, railways and customs authorities.

The port has also introduced a single point of contact to coordinate customs officers and other inspection services, including food inspections, with the aim of reducing paperwork and streamlining procedures.

These practices could be relevant to Kazakhstan as it works to address logistical bottlenecks and improve the movement of cargo across different transport systems.

In 2025, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar discussed expanding transport and logistics cooperation, including the potential involvement of Luka Koper in the Middle Corridor.

Slovenian Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Jernej Vrtovec also highlighted the importance of strengthening transport connections between Europe and Asia. Kazakhstan’s strategic geographical position made it a key partner in developing these connections.

“Slovenia attaches great importance to the further development of safe, efficient and resilient transport connections between Europe and Asia, as well as to the diversification of transport routes and supply chains. In this context, we recognize the increasingly important role of the Middle Corridor, which provides an important link and offers opportunities for further strengthening multimodal connectivity,” he said in a recent statement. 

A gateway to Central Europe

Located on the northern Adriatic coast, the Port of Koper connects maritime shipping routes with rail and road networks serving Central and Eastern Europe. Its proximity to major European markets and its position at the intersection of the Baltic-Adriatic and Mediterranean transport corridors are among its main competitive advantages.

Kržan highlighted that the port’s location and established rail and road connections make it a convenient entry point for cargo arriving from the Middle East and Far East.

“We are a multipurpose port. We were established almost 70 years ago, and we are focused primarily on two major cargo groups: containers and cars,” she said.

In 2025, Luka Koper handled around 23 million tons of cargo, including 1.27 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a standard measure of container capacity. The port also handled nearly 915,000 vehicles, maintaining its position as a major automotive hub in the Mediterranean.

“We are not competing with northern European ports because they are much bigger. But we are the main gateway to Central Europe and offer one of the shortest routes from the Middle and Far East to this part of the world,” Kržan said.

The port is continuing an investment program launched under its 2024-2028 strategy. The planned investment cycle totals 785 million euros (US$883 million) and includes expanding container facilities and increasing vehicle storage capacity.

“The container terminal’s annual capacity is expected to reach up to 1.8 million TEUs once the planned expansion is complete. The port is also building a multi-story garage with space for around 11,600 vehicles. Together with existing facilities, the garage will provide covered parking for around 25,000 vehicles,” Kržan said.

Connecting the Middle Corridor with European markets

The Middle Corridor has gained importance as countries seek to diversify trade routes and strengthen transport links between Asia and Europe. For Kazakhstan, the route provides an alternative connection to European markets through the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus and Türkiye.

Kržan noted that the corridor could create opportunities not only for transport and logistics but also for regional production, manufacturing and closer economic cooperation.

She identified the possibility of establishing more direct shipping connections between Istanbul and Koper as one area worth exploring.

“I think it would be very important if cargo currently going through Istanbul could be transported directly by ship to our port. That would mean shorter transit times, greater efficiency and lower carbon emissions for customers in Central Europe,” she said.

Kržan said the port serves markets across Central Europe, including Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, southern Germany and southern Poland. Around 85% of the cargo passing through Koper is destined for markets outside Slovenia.

She added that maritime transport can sometimes be more efficient than rail, depending on the cargo and route. Closer coordination between shipping lines and logistics operators could help identify the most effective transport options.

“As trade routes continue to evolve, developing new connections and strengthening existing partnerships will become increasingly important. We can cooperate not only commercially but also by exchanging good practices,” Kržan said. 

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