The project involves the construction of 326 metres of new quay with two berths, providing an additional seven hectares of storage and handling areas. The seabed will also be deepened, and all necessary infrastructure will be built. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The contractor for the northern extension works of Pier I, Kolektor Koling Inženiring, Instalacije, Proizvodnja d.o.o., in partnership with the company CGP d.d., has completed several months of dredging along the quay, reaching a maximum depth of 16 metres. The contractor terminated preparatory works for piling, which represents the core stage of the construction phase. In recent weeks, 250 steel piles with diameters of up to one metre have already arrived at the Port of Koper in two shipments totalling 5,500 tonnes, and by the end of June, a pile-driving equipment is also expected to reach the port.
The piling works, in accordance with the environmental consent and all additional protective measures, will take place on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. No activity will be carried out on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. In addition to the existing monitoring of dust particles and noise across the port area, extra controls have been set up specifically for the project – including construction‑site noise, vibration, and water turbidity monitoring. The goal is to minimise the environmental impact of the construction and to enable the early detection of any changes in measured values. Piling operations will continue until December 2026. The process has been adjusted to reduce impact and will take place in two phases. In the first phase, contractors will use vibration techniques to drive piles to about 80% of their final depth, while the final 20% will be completed by impact driving. It is planned that up to 100 piles per month will be installed. This approach will further reduce noise and other effects on the surrounding environment.
“At the Port of Koper, we approach all infrastructure projects with responsibility, careful planning, and sustainability in mind. Every investment is thoroughly prepared and coordinated with all key stakeholders, from the local community to the competent authorities. In constructing the northern extension of Pier I, which represents an important step in the development of the port’s infrastructure, we are placing special emphasis on minimising environmental impacts and maintaining the quality of life in the wider area. Our goal is to carry out each project phase in a way that makes its impact as unnoticeable as possible for nearby residents,” said Nevenka Kržan, President of the Management Board of the Port of Koper, ahead of the start of the main construction phase.
After the piles are installed, contractors will place prefabricated reinforced concrete caps on their tops. These will protect the piles within the tidal zone and serve as a base for the installation of prefabricated reinforced concrete beams and cross‑beams. The piles will also be equipped with cathodic protection to prevent corrosion. As in the southern extension of Pier I, a 70‑centimetre-thick concrete slab will be built, waterproofed and overlaid with a second 30‑centimetre slab. A large portion of these elements will be prefabricated off‑site, ensuring greater precision, higher construction quality, and faster assembly with less environmental impact.
The container segment remains of strategic importance for the Port of Koper. With this investment, the Company is responding to the expectations of stakeholders throughout the logistics chain and strengthening its position as the largest container hub in the Northern Adriatic. The total value of the contract, also published at the EU level, amounts to EUR 152,919,797.22 (excluding VAT). Upon completion of construction, installation of quay cranes, and the upgrade of existing storage areas, the annual container throughput capacity will increase to 1.8 million TEUs.
