​Čadež with Directors of Rijeka and Koper Ports: Joint EU Initiative for a New Railway to the Adriatic

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, together with the North Adriatic ports of Rijeka, Koper, and Trieste, has launched an initiative toward the relevant governments and EU institutions to accelerate the modernization of railway infrastructure and remove all administrative barriers hindering efficient transport between Serbia and the Adriatic ports.

President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, met yesterday with the chairmen of the boards of the ports of Rijeka and Koper, Duško Grabovac and Nevenko Križan. Together, they emphasized that the time has come for concrete action, as every further delay in the transport of goods to these ports costs the region lost investments and slowed development.

“The ports of Rijeka, Koper, and Trieste represent a strategic route for the economies of Serbia and the region. This is the shortest and most advanced logistics corridor connecting the Western Balkans with global markets,” said Čadež.

Due to insufficient investment, outdated railway infrastructure, and the lack of veterinary and phytosanitary inspection controls at border crossings, transport between Serbia and the North Adriatic ports is carried out mainly by road. This leads to major congestion and long waiting times at border crossings, especially at Batrovci, where trucks wait on average more than 10 hours, and in some cases up to 36 hours.

“The revised TEN-T network and the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, worth six billion euros by 2027, give us the opportunity for both political and financial support for railway modernization. This is a chance for the region to present a united front to the EU and show that connectivity is the key to shared progress,” Čadež stressed.

Connecting Serbian industry with the North Adriatic ports is of crucial importance for access to global markets and for further development of industry, exports, and logistics. The initiative of the CCIS and its partners has a clear goal – for Serbia to become an integral part of a modern, green, and efficient European railway system.