Slovenia leverages its position as a logistics gateway to Central Europe and the Balkans

Global supply chains are undergoing a structural transformation, increasingly shaped by geopolitical developments such as the escalation in the Middle East and the growing use of trade barriers in global commerce, driven in part by U.S. policy. As a result, businesses are increasingly looking for alternative routes and market access points that can improve operational resilience and efficiency.

In this context, the evolving trade landscape is creating new business opportunities across several European regions. The central part of the continent – including Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria – is becoming an attractive location for relocating production and inventory closer to European consumers, particularly in sectors such as automotive and battery supply chains. At the same time, the Balkans are gaining importance both as a manufacturing base and as a rapidly developing consumer market. We are observing growing interest from customers in sectors such as electronics manufacturing and FMCG, with companies increasingly locating parts of their supply chains in the region.

Within this broader regional shift, Slovenia is strengthening its role as a maritime logistics gateway connecting global trade routes with Central Europe and the Balkans. The country combines a strategic location close to these markets with mature port infrastructure – especially Port of Koper – and a continuously developing rail network. At a time when delivery predictability has become just as important as cost, these advantages are gaining new significance.

Port of Koper with record results

Port of Koper is the largest seaport in the Adriatic region and continues to grow year after year. The year 2025 marked a breakthrough for the terminal, with throughput increasing by 12%. Container volumes exceeded 1.27 million TEU, confirming the port’s growing role in European supply chains despite disruptions affecting global maritime routes. Importantly, the port has maintained this growth even amid disruptions in the Red Sea, which temporarily reduced the traditional advantage of southern 

European ports offering shorter maritime routes from Asia to Europe.

One of Koper’s key operational advantages is its relatively low level of congestion. While major Northern European ports have repeatedly experienced operational bottlenecks in recent years, Koper has maintained high service reliability and smooth cargo handling. For companies managing complex supply chains, this translates into lower operational risk and greater delivery predictability. The port has also developed strong specialization in handling finished vehicles, making it one of the key automotive logistics hubs in the region.

At the same time, the port continues to expand its container terminal infrastructure to handle increasing volumes. Ongoing investments will significantly increase long-term capacity and further strengthen its position as one of the key logistics gateways to Central Europe.

Rail as the backbone of further growth

Rail transport already plays a crucial role in the Port of Koper’s hinterland connections. In 2025, rail accounted for more than half of the port’s total cargo throughput, making it the dominant mode of transport for moving goods inland. For companies serving Central and Eastern Europe, this offers a clear operational advantage. Rail connections allow cargo from Koper to reach key regional markets within around two days, providing capacity and regularity that road transport increasingly struggles to guarantee.

To maintain this efficiency and support further growth in cargo volumes, continued investment in rail infrastructure remains essential. The construction of the second track on the Divača-Koper railway line will significantly increase the capacity of the corridor from 72 to more than 230 trains per day. This will improve the efficiency of cargo flows between Adriatic ports and Central European markets while strengthening Koper’s role within the Baltic–Adriatic transport corridor.

Comprehensive support tailored to client needs

We are seeing Slovenia’s growing importance as a key link in our customers’ supply chains, and we also understand how important the local presence of a logistics partner is for companies operating in international trade. SUUS has been present in Slovenia since 2019 and, through our team on the ground, we provide tailor-made logistics solutions such as sea, rail, road and air freight. We also offer end-to-end customs services, including the Customs Control Tower model – a one-stop point for customs clearance in both the country of origin and destination.