According to Miša Rizmanovski, Managing Director, Rohlig SUUS Logistics Slovenia, as global trade routes shift amid mounting geopolitical tensions, Slovenia is carving out a new role at the center of European logistics.
With the war in Ukraine, attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, and increasingly protectionist trade policies reshaping global supply chains, businesses across Europe are searching for stable, efficient alternatives. In this climate, Slovenia is emerging as more than just a corridor between the Adriatic and Central Europe.
The Port of Koper, Slovenia’s principal maritime gateway, has already begun to reflect this shift. Between January and May 2025, the port recorded a 12% increase in container throughput, including a staggering 30% spike in May alone.
What’s particularly notable is that this growth was achieved without direct government subsidies, underscoring the port’s natural advantages in location, operational quality, and efficiency.
A turning point on the logistic map of Europe
Slovenia’s strong export orientation, with exports accounting for nearly 90% of its GDP, makes logistics infrastructure critical to its economic performance. As new manufacturing hubs pop up in nearby Hungary and regional transportation demand grows, Slovenia finds itself with a chance to evolve from a transit route into a fully-fledged logistics and industrial hub.
Still, there are challenges to overcome. Key among them is the need to modernize inland infrastructure. Slovenia’s rail network, for example, is not yet fully compatible with the European standard of 740-meter freight trains. While the Port of Koper has the capacity to meet rising demand, better inland connections are essential to unlock the country’s full potential.
Regional competition is also heating up. Croatia is expanding the Port of Rijeka, Serbia is pushing ahead with rail infrastructure projects, and other Adriatic ports are increasing their capacities.
Slovenia is emerging as a key hub for logistics investment
”At Rohlig SUUS Logistics, we have recognized the significant logistics potential in Slovenia over the years. We have been operating in the market since 2019. Our local branches are located in Koper and in Brnik, near Ljubljana,” commented Miša Rizmanovski, Managing Director, Rohlig SUUS Logistics Slovenia.
Port of Koper is not only a critical gateway connecting Central Europe with the Mediterranean, but also a strategic node in two major pan-European transport corridors – the Mediterranean and the Baltic-Adriatic.
The latter, in particular, is gaining importance with the expansion of rail infrastructure leading to the port, as part of international initiatives supporting intermodal transport along the north-south axis.
”We see Slovenia not merely as a transit country, but as a space with growing potential to host regional logistics hubs tailored to the needs of companies operating in Central and Eastern Europe”, added Miša Rizmanovski, Managing Director, Rohlig SUUS Logistics Slovenia.
