One of the world’s largest container terminal operators, APM, has just announced a major expansion worth €380 million of the Rijeka waterfront, Croatia’s main commercial outlet to the Adriatic.
The so-called Rijeka Gateway will be built in two phases, with more than €200m invested in the first two years and another €180m over the next ten years. The terminal will serve as a main entry point to destinations and markets in the hinterland.
It is envisaged that by the time the project is complete, Rijeka will be able to accommodate more than a million units every year, up from 650,000 in the initial stage. APM is linked to Maersk, the main Danish shipping company. Construction will begin in 2025.
Right in the middle of the Bay of Kvarner, Rijeka has long been a hub for national ferry carrier Jadrolinija and the main Croatian bus company arriva (formerly Autotrans), as well as an international railway destination with summer services from Prague and Budapest.