North Macedonia, officially known as the Republic of North Macedonia, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Europe, bordered by Kosovo to the northwest, Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the west. Due to its lack of direct access to the sea, North Macedonia does not have sea ports. However, it has other types of ports and border crossings:
- River Ports: North Macedonia has limited river ports along the Vardar River, which flows through the country. These river ports primarily serve domestic transportation and trade. However, due to the Vardar River’s limited navigability and the country’s relatively small size, river ports play a minor role in North Macedonia’s transportation network.
- Inland Terminals: Inland terminals in North Macedonia serve as important nodes in the country’s transportation infrastructure, facilitating the movement of goods to and from neighboring countries. These terminals often integrate road and rail networks to transport cargo efficiently. Examples include:
- Skopje Inland Port: Located near the capital city, Skopje, this inland port serves as a key hub for the distribution of goods within North Macedonia and for trade with neighboring countries.
- Bitola Inland Terminal: Situated in the southwestern part of the country, Bitola Inland Terminal facilitates the movement of cargo to and from Greece and other neighboring countries.
- Border Crossings: North Macedonia has several border crossings with neighboring countries, which are essential for land-based trade and travel. These border crossings facilitate the movement of goods and people between North Macedonia and its neighbors. Major border crossings include:
- Tabanovce: This border crossing links North Macedonia with Serbia and serves as a significant trade route between the two countries.
- Bogorodica: Located on the border with Greece, Bogorodica facilitates trade and travel between North Macedonia and Greece, two important economic partners in the region.
List of Largest Ports Near to Northern Macedonia
| Port Name | Country | Types of Cargo Ships | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Thessaloniki | Greece | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 800 |
| Port of Piraeus | Greece | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 700 |
| Port of Durres | Albania | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 600 |
| Port of Bar | Montenegro | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 500 |
| Port of Vlore | Albania | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 400 |
| Port of Patras | Greece | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 300 |
| Port of Koper | Slovenia | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 250 |
| Port of Igoumenitsa | Greece | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 200 |
| Port of Split | Croatia | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 180 |
| Port of Ploče | Croatia | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 150 |
| Port of Brindisi | Italy | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 120 |
| Port of Thessaloniki | Greece | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 100 |
| Port of Ancona | Italy | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 80 |
| Port of Bari | Italy | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 70 |
| Port of Varna | Bulgaria | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 60 |
Major Ports Serving Northern Macedonia
1. Port of Thessaloniki (Greece)
Thessaloniki, located on the northern coast of Greece, is one of the most significant ports for Northern Macedonia. It handles a wide range of cargo, including bulk commodities, containers, and petroleum products. As the second-largest port in Greece, it serves as a major gateway for goods entering and leaving Northern Macedonia. The port’s proximity to the country makes it vital for imports, especially industrial goods and raw materials.
City Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
Latitude: 40.6401° N
Longitude: 22.9444° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Skopje | 230 | E65 |
| Vardarac | 190 | E65 |
| Bitola | 190 | E65 |
| Kumanovo | 160 | E75 |
| Prilep | 180 | E65 |
| Ohrid | 230 | E65 |
| Struga | 240 | E65 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Thessaloniki Railway Station (Greece)
- Skopje Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Vardarac Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Bitola Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Kumanovo Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
2. Port of Piraeus (Greece)
Located in Athens, the Port of Piraeus is the largest port in Greece and one of the most important in the Mediterranean. It serves as a major hub for containerized cargo, bulk goods, and passenger transport. Piraeus is a critical port for Northern Macedonia due to its connection to international trade routes, offering efficient access to Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
City Location: Piraeus, Greece
Latitude: 37.9530° N
Longitude: 23.7490° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Skopje | 250 | E65 |
| Kumanovo | 230 | E75 |
| Bitola | 240 | E65 |
| Vardarac | 230 | E65 |
| Ohrid | 270 | E65 |
| Struga | 290 | E65 |
| Prilep | 280 | E65 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Piraeus Railway Station (Greece)
- Skopje Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Kumanovo Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Thessaloniki Railway Station (Greece)
- Vardarac Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
3. Port of Burgas (Bulgaria)
Burgas Port, located on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, is one of the key maritime gateways for Northern Macedonia. The port handles a variety of cargo, including crude oil, chemicals, and containers. Its infrastructure is modern, allowing for efficient trade between Bulgaria, Northern Macedonia, and other countries in the region.
City Location: Burgas, Bulgaria
Latitude: 42.5083° N
Longitude: 27.4680° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Skopje | 300 | E65 |
| Varna | 130 | E87 |
| Plovdiv | 230 | E80 |
| Sofia | 380 | E79 |
| Strumica | 160 | E65 |
| Ohrid | 290 | E65 |
| Kumanovo | 270 | E75 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Burgas Railway Station (Bulgaria)
- Skopje Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Varna Railway Station (Bulgaria)
- Plovdiv Railway Station (Bulgaria)
- Sofia Railway Station (Bulgaria)
4. Port of Durres (Albania)
Durres Port is one of Albania’s largest and busiest seaports. Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Durres serves as a gateway for Northern Macedonia, particularly for industries such as textiles, chemicals, and agriculture. It offers an essential connection for international trade and facilitates access to European markets.
City Location: Durres, Albania
Latitude: 41.3237° N
Longitude: 19.4558° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Skopje | 340 | E65 |
| Tirana | 37 | E76 |
| Shkoder | 150 | E80 |
| Kavaje | 30 | E65 |
| Vlore | 145 | E85 |
| Ohrid | 300 | E65 |
| Struga | 320 | E65 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Durres Railway Station (Albania)
- Skopje Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Tirana Railway Station (Albania)
- Shkoder Railway Station (Albania)
- Kavaje Railway Station (Albania)
5. Port of Bar (Montenegro)
The Port of Bar, located in Montenegro, is a significant port on the Adriatic Sea. It serves as an important connection for Northern Macedonia, particularly for the transit of goods to and from European markets. The port handles containerized cargo, bulk goods, and petroleum products. Its strategic location makes it an ideal outlet for Macedonian exports.
City Location: Bar, Montenegro
Latitude: 42.0981° N
Longitude: 19.0305° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Skopje | 400 | E65 |
| Podgorica | 40 | E65 |
| Tirana | 220 | E76 |
| Dubrovnik | 180 | E65 |
| Kotor | 140 | E65 |
| Nikšić | 90 | E80 |
| Pljevlja | 150 | E65 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Bar Railway Station (Montenegro)
- Skopje Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Podgorica Railway Station (Montenegro)
- Tirana Railway Station (Albania)
- Dubrovnik Railway Station (Croatia)
6. Port of Rijeka (Croatia)
Rijeka Port, located in Croatia, is one of the busiest ports on the Adriatic Sea. It serves as a key gateway for trade with Northern Macedonia, handling containers, bulk goods, and petrochemical products. The port is well-connected to European road and rail networks, making it an essential hub for goods entering the region.
City Location: Rijeka, Croatia
Latitude: 45.3271° N
Longitude: 14.4422° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Skopje | 510 | E65 |
| Zagreb | 170 | E65 |
| Pecs | 370 | E65 |
| Belgrade | 480 | E75 |
| Ljubljana | 130 | E61 |
| Zadar | 160 | E65 |
| Split | 230 | E65 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Rijeka Railway Station (Croatia)
- Skopje Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Zagreb Railway Station (Croatia)
- Pecs Railway Station (Hungary)
- Belgrade Railway Station (Serbia)
7. Port of Koper (Slovenia)
Koper Port, located in Slovenia, is a significant deepwater port on the Adriatic Sea. It serves as a key trade route for Northern Macedonia, handling a variety of cargo, including containers, bulk goods, and cars. The port’s infrastructure is highly modernized, making it an important player in trade routes between Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean.
City Location: Koper, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.5400° N
Longitude: 13.7280° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Skopje | 500 | E65 |
| Ljubljana | 120 | E61 |
| Trieste | 40 | E70 |
| Venice | 150 | E61 |
| Pecs | 350 | E65 |
| Zagreb | 250 | E65 |
| Belgrade | 450 | E75 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Koper Railway Station (Slovenia)
- Skopje Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Slovenia)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Belgrade Railway Station (Serbia)
8. Port of Ancona (Italy)
Ancona Port, located on the Adriatic coast of Italy, serves as a critical connection point for maritime trade with Northern Macedonia. The port handles both passengers and cargo, with specialized terminals for ferries, containers, and bulk goods. Ancona offers an efficient route for goods traveling between the Mediterranean and the Balkans.
City Location: Ancona, Italy
Latitude: 43.6167° N
Longitude: 13.5167° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Skopje | 520 | E65 |
| Ljubljana | 160 | E61 |
| Trieste | 130 | E70 |
| Pecs | 380 | E65 |
| Venice | 230 | E61 |
| Bari | 250 | E55 |
| Belgrade | 500 | E75 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Ancona Railway Station (Italy)
- Skopje Railway Station (Northern Macedonia)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Slovenia)
- Venice Railway Station (Italy)
- Belgrade Railway Station (Serbia)