“We are pleased with the progress of preparatory works at the Rijeka Gateway container terminal, and we expect the official opening to take place at the beginning of September this year,” said Igor Šikanjić, Regional Sales Manager at A.P. Moller – Maersk, during the SCM Forum conference held yesterday at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb.
Rijeka Gateway, a new container terminal in the Port of Rijeka, is a joint investment by Maersk and ENNA Group, with an investment of approximately €200 million to date, and a further €180 million to be invested in later stages of the project.
This is the largest investment in the Croatian logistics sector in history, which is currently experiencing a major boom with extensive investments in warehouse capacities and transport infrastructure.
Ivan Kršić, CEO of HŽ Infrastruktura, emphasized that approximately €6 billion will be invested in the renewal of railway infrastructure over the next ten years. The key priorities include the lowland double-track railway from Zagreb to Rijeka and the corridor from the Slovenian border to eastern Croatia.
“A lot of work is being done on all routes, but the pace of construction doesn’t depend solely on us. Numerous environmental studies and procedures must be completed before any works can begin. These procedures are slow and complex and should be accelerated. Another major challenge is the lack of qualified personnel, such as project engineers, which also affects the speed of implementation,” Kršić stated, adding that investment in railway infrastructure is unstoppable but long-term, and called on the industry for patience.
Šikanjić also pointed out the Adriatic Corridor, i.e. the maritime transport route, as a promising area for future development. He highlighted the potential construction of a new terminal on the island of Krk, which could triple the current capacity of container terminals in Rijeka.
“There’s a lot that can be done and improved, and the future of the logistics sector is bright,” Šikanjić added.
Beyond Infrastructure: Cybersecurity, FMCG Logistics & Sustainability
In addition to investments in logistics and transport infrastructure, the forum also focused on FMCG distribution challenges, cybersecurity, and sustainability in the supply chain.
The event offered a glimpse into the future of Croatian logistics, starting with a keynote by Walter Holzhammer, representative of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges for Austria and Hungary. Using the example of Europe’s second-largest port, he highlighted potential development directions for the Port of Rijeka in the medium term.
“Besides the container terminal itself, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is home to around 1,400 companies, directly or indirectly creating 164,000 jobs, generating nearly €21 billion in added value, and contributing about **4.5% to Belgium’s GDP,” Holzhammer noted in his presentation.
Through this inspiring keynote, multiple presentations, and four panel discussions, the conference emphasized the importance of a broader European perspective and cross-border collaboration beyond the limitations of the local market.
“In today’s context, experts agree that the key word for Europe’s strategic future is not competition, but cooperation. That’s why it’s crucial to open up discussions, foster communication, and act jointly toward the highest institutions of the European Union to accelerate processes and enable a new phase of economic development.
We are especially pleased to have established collaboration this year with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, whose experience serves as a window into the future of the Croatian logistics sector,” said Goran Pavlović, Editor-in-Chief of Supply Chain Magazine, the specialized platform that not only reports on supply chain trends but also organizes this annual conference.
SCM Forum 2025 was held with the support of sponsors including Accolade, Milšped, Gebrüder Weiss, Span, DB Schenker, Info-Kod, Lukenda Transport, and Primaco, while media partners were Ja TRGOVAC, Lider, and Press Clipping.
More information is available on the official conference website.