Port infrastructure

The modernisation of ports is one of the conditions for better and more efficient integration of Slovenia into the European transport network and will facilitate the movement of goods, services and passengers. The Port of Koper is a part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and thus also one of the most important connecting transport platforms in Slovenia, since it carries out transport and logistics activities of national and wider regional importance. Its strategic geographical position is extremely favourable for supplying markets in Central and Eastern Europe. The development of the Port of Koper is implemented in accordance with the national spatial plan for the cargo port of Koper. Our plans include the extension and adaptation of piers, upgrades on the current infrastructure, dredging of the entry canals and port basins, building a passenger terminal, and developing the infrastructure for supplying ships with alternative fuels.

Maritime transport security

With maritime transport on the increase, ensuring security is the primary objective. To that end, we take care of the adoption and implementation of national and international maritime law, conventions and other mandatory instruments of the International Maritime Organization, and European Union law. In the context of its EU membership, Slovenia actively participates in the formulation of future regulations and policies in a wide area that falls within the framework of the European transport policy and the Integrated Maritime Policy and touches on the digitalisation of maritime transport, safety and security, education and training of seafarers, and the social agenda in maritime traffic.

We also actively cooperate with the International Maritime Organization, the International Hydrographic Organization, the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, and other international organisations and institutions.

Key activities aimed at improving security in maritime transport include the upgrading of the Traffic Control and Crisis Management Centre, the management of the national SafeSeaNet system, the establishment of a common environment for the exchange of information on maritime surveillance, the hydrographic measurements of the Slovenian sea and the issuing of sea charts. In order to reduce administrative burdens on the maritime economy, we established the National Maritime Single Window to follow technological developments and digitalisation in the field of electronic commerce.

Marine environment protection

The protection of the marine environment in Slovenia is principally regulated by the legislation on the protection and conservation of nature, water and the environment, cultural heritage, bathing waters and other areas related to the general use of the sea, along with legislation on maritime activity, fisheries, energy and other specific uses of the sea and even legislation on spatial planning and local self-government. However, Slovenia lacks a regulation that would uniformly govern the system of marine environment protection.

At the level of the international community, the pressure on marine polluters has been mounting in recent years, especially in terms of legislation. Slovenia is supportive of this approach, as we wish to live in a secure and clean environment. We continually strive for the development of the maritime sector and ports in our vicinity to respect environmental commitments and minimise impact on the population and the environment. To this end, we participate in the formulation and implementation of commitments aimed towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector and regulations on the protection of the marine environment against pollution. We support an internationally coordinated approach to addressing the environmental challenges in the greater Adriatic and Ionian Region and the Mediterranean and a coordinated approach to action in the event of maritime accidents and sea pollution.

Seafarers and maritime education

The human factor is important not only for maritime security and the protection of the marine environment, but also as support for growth and prosperity of the maritime economy in Europe. By ratifying the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), Slovenia committed itself to comply with the requirements of the convention regarding the education of seafarers. The knowledge acquired by seafarers is indispensable, since the optimal functioning of the transport system ensures efficient traffic and transport services, which are crucial for the development of the national economy.