Slovenia: Port of Koper Dredging Starts

Dredging operations to deepen Basin I at the Port of Koper began on Wednesday, 19th February 2014.

This long-awaited project, which will fulfil Luka Koper’s commitment to ship owners, is of crucial importance in the future development of the company through enhancing the port’s competitiveness.

Dredging work is being carried out by the Italian company Costruzioni Generali Xodo s.r.l using the vessel San Luca Primo.

The first stage of deepening the harbour waters, which is to be completed by 21st February 2014, will increase the maximum permissible draft of vessels using the Container Terminal to 13 metres.

In addition, necessary works for the construction and filling of the silt disposal sites are also underway.

These works complement the company’s plans for the extension of Pier I, which were endorsed by the Supervisory Board in spring 2013.

These investments will increase the annual capacity of the Container Terminal by an additional 230,000 TEUs – to 980,000 TEUs per annum. Further to seabed dredging, the project includes the construction of an additional 100 metres of operational quayside with all pertaining infrastructure, machinery and equipment.

The project, which has an estimated price tag of 78 million euros, shall be executed in several stages and is due for completion in 2018.

As has been pointed out on several occasions by Luka Koper’s Management Board President Mr Gašpar Gašpar Mišič, 2014 is to be a year of investments essential to enhancing the port’s competitiveness through the creation of much needed extra capacities. Today’s commencement of works testifies to the fact that Luka Koper is on the right track.

[mappress]

Press Release, February 20, 2014