Rijeka Port set to become a major player 

Rijeka

The Port of Rijeka is on track to become a major logistics centre for Central and Southeast Europe, according to experts and officials who gathered in Zagreb this week for the conference “Ship, Train, Score – Unlocking the Full Potential of the Port of Rijeka”, organised by the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, said that Rijeka is undergoing a transformation, driven by major transport and infrastructure projects.

“Thanks to Rijeka’s exceptional strategic location, we’ve seen a number of developments not just at the port itself, but also in rail infrastructure. A big boost came with the historic concession agreement, which will soon bring a brand new container terminal into operation,” said Butković.

He added that guaranteed cargo traffic is already secured, and a direct road connection from the new terminal to the motorway is complete. The next focus, he said, is strengthening rail links with European corridors.

“With significant progress happening in that area too, I believe Rijeka – as our biggest and most important port – has all the conditions in place for impressive continued growth,” Butković concluded.

Gateway to the world

Rijeka is Croatia’s largest seaport for cargo and a crucial gateway for international trade. As a designated port of special economic interest, it plays an important role in attracting investment, boosting trade and creating jobs.

It is also part of the EU’s TEN-T network, serving several landlocked countries in the region and enhancing Croatia’s geostrategic significance.

“Rijeka’s development offers wide-reaching benefits beyond the maritime sector – boosting industries like logistics, trade and transport,” said Mirjana Čagalj, HGK Vice-President for Construction and Transport.

A booming future ahead

A study presented at the conference showed that, by 2040, the Port of Rijeka could generate up to €3.3 billion in economic activity – five times more than today. It is also expected to create around 8,600 jobs across the port, support services, and the wider Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.

Rijeka

The study outlined an optimistic but realistic scenario, which includes the earlier completion of the key lowland railway line between Zagreb and Rijeka by 2032. The project is expected to eliminate current bottlenecks and make cargo transport through Rijeka more efficient, attracting new shipping lines and boosting the port’s role as a regional logistics hub.

With major infrastructure projects in motion and momentum building, Rijeka’s port is well on its way to becoming a key player in the European supply chain.