Slovenia is a Central European country bordered by Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, and Croatia to the southeast. Although Slovenia does not have direct access to the sea, it has access to the Adriatic Sea through a short coastline along the Gulf of Trieste. Here are the types of ports and border crossings found in Slovenia:
- Sea Ports: Slovenia’s only sea port is the Port of Koper, located in the city of Koper on the Adriatic coast. Despite its small size, the Port of Koper is the largest port in Slovenia and one of the largest in the Adriatic Sea. It serves as a major gateway for maritime trade, handling containers, bulk cargo, and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) traffic.
- River Ports: Slovenia does not have navigable rivers suitable for river ports, as it is primarily a mountainous country with limited waterways.
- Inland Terminals: Inland terminals in Slovenia serve as important nodes in the country’s transportation network, facilitating the movement of goods within the country and to neighboring regions. These terminals are often located near major cities and industrial zones. Examples include:
- Ljubljana Inland Port: Located near the capital city of Ljubljana, this inland port provides connectivity to the Port of Koper and serves as a key logistics hub for Slovenia’s import and export activities.
- Maribor Inland Terminal: Situated in Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city, this inland terminal serves as a distribution center for goods transported by road and rail.
- Border Crossings: Slovenia has several border crossings with neighboring countries, facilitating land-based trade and transportation. Major border crossings include those with Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. These crossings serve as vital trade routes between Slovenia and its neighboring countries, facilitating the movement of goods and people.
List of Largest Ports in Slovenia
| Port Name | Location/Country | Type of Cargo Ships | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Koper | Koper | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 300 |
| Port of Izola | Izola | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 100 |
| Port of Piran | Piran | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 80 |
| Port of Ankaran | Ankaran | Bulk, Ro-Ro | 50 |
| Port of Portorož | Portorož | Bulk, Ro-Ro | 40 |
| Port of Sečovlje | Sečovlje | Bulk, Ro-Ro | 30 |
| Port of Strunjan | Strunjan | Bulk, Ro-Ro | 20 |
| Port of Muggia | Muggia (Italy) | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 150 |
| Port of Monfalcone | Monfalcone (Italy) | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 120 |
| Port of Trieste | Trieste (Italy) | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 200 |
| Port of Venice | Venice (Italy) | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 180 |
| Port of Rijeka | Rijeka (Croatia) | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 170 |
| Port of Pula | Pula (Croatia) | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 160 |
| Port of Zadar | Zadar (Croatia) | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 140 |
| Port of Split | Split (Croatia) | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro | 130 |
Major Ports Serving Slovenia
1. Port of Koper
The Port of Koper is Slovenia’s largest and most important seaport. Located on the Adriatic coast, it serves as a key transshipment hub for goods moving between the Mediterranean and Central and Eastern Europe. Koper handles a wide range of cargo, including containers, bulk commodities, automobiles, and general cargo. It is a vital link for the Slovene economy and also serves as the main port for neighboring landlocked countries such as Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia. With its well-developed logistics infrastructure, including rail and road connections, the port has become one of the most efficient and busiest ports in the region.
City Location: Koper, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.5478° N
Longitude: 13.7304° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Trieste (Italy) | 30 | A4 Highway (Italy) |
| Ljubljana | 120 | A1 Highway |
| Venice (Italy) | 130 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Maribor | 190 | A1 Highway |
| Piran | 15 | Piran-Koper Road |
| Postojna | 50 | A1 Highway |
| Nova Gorica | 140 | H4 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Koper Railway Station (Koper)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Ljubljana)
- Maribor Railway Station (Maribor)
- Postojna Railway Station (Postojna)
2. Port of Izola
The Port of Izola is located along the Slovenian coast and is mainly used for fishing, leisure, and smaller commercial activities. While it does not handle the volume of cargo that Koper does, it is an important port for the local community, supporting tourism and fishing industries. The port’s proximity to Koper allows for some intermodal connectivity, facilitating the transport of goods to and from the more developed port of Koper. Izola also has a marina that attracts pleasure yachts and cruise ships, contributing to Slovenia’s growing tourism sector.
City Location: Izola, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.5400° N
Longitude: 13.6556° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Koper | 10 | Koper-Izola Road |
| Trieste (Italy) | 35 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Ljubljana | 130 | A1 Highway |
| Piran | 5 | Piran-Izola Road |
| Portorož | 5 | Portorož-Izola Road |
| Novigrad (Croatia) | 35 | E751 Highway (Croatia) |
| Mestre (Italy) | 130 | A4 Highway (Italy) |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Izola Railway Station (Izola)
- Koper Railway Station (Koper)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Ljubljana)
- Piran Railway Station (Piran)
3. Port of Piran
Piran is a small port located on the Adriatic coast of Slovenia, primarily focused on leisure activities, fishing, and smaller scale commercial operations. While it does not handle significant commercial cargo, the port of Piran is vital for tourism, attracting visitors for its picturesque scenery and its close proximity to nearby Italian ports. Piran’s port area also serves as a docking point for cruise ships and small freighters that cater to the local region.
City Location: Piran, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.5261° N
Longitude: 13.5700° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Koper | 30 | Koper-Piran Road |
| Trieste (Italy) | 35 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Izola | 15 | Piran-Izola Road |
| Ljubljana | 130 | A1 Highway |
| Venice (Italy) | 130 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Portorož | 10 | Portorož-Piran Road |
| Novigrad (Croatia) | 50 | E751 Highway (Croatia) |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Piran Railway Station (Piran)
- Koper Railway Station (Koper)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Ljubljana)
- Izola Railway Station (Izola)
4. Port of Portorož
Portorož is located near Piran and is one of Slovenia’s most popular coastal towns, known for its leisure activities and tourism. While it is primarily a port for tourists, providing facilities for yachts, cruise ships, and ferries, it also handles a modest amount of cargo and supplies for local industries. Portorož’s port plays a key role in the region’s hospitality and cruise ship industry, offering services for visitors traveling along the Adriatic coast.
City Location: Portorož, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.5144° N
Longitude: 13.5944° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Koper | 30 | Koper-Portorož Road |
| Trieste (Italy) | 40 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Izola | 15 | Piran-Portorož Road |
| Ljubljana | 130 | A1 Highway |
| Piran | 10 | Portorož-Piran Road |
| Venice (Italy) | 130 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Novigrad (Croatia) | 50 | E751 Highway (Croatia) |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Portorož Railway Station (Portorož)
- Koper Railway Station (Koper)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Ljubljana)
- Izola Railway Station (Izola)
5. Port of Sečovlje
Sečovlje is primarily an industrial port, located close to the Croatian border. It serves as a hub for the petrochemical and construction sectors, handling bulk materials such as coal, fertilizers, and chemicals. The port also supports the local fishing industry, but its main role remains in the transportation of raw materials for regional industries. It is well-connected to major roads leading to Italy and central Slovenia.
City Location: Sečovlje, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.4778° N
Longitude: 13.5928° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Koper | 20 | Sečovlje-Koper Road |
| Trieste (Italy) | 35 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Izola | 10 | Sečovlje-Izola Road |
| Ljubljana | 130 | A1 Highway |
| Piran | 10 | Sečovlje-Piran Road |
| Portorož | 20 | Sečovlje-Portorož Road |
| Nova Gorica | 110 | H4 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Sečovlje Railway Station (Sečovlje)
- Koper Railway Station (Koper)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Ljubljana)
- Izola Railway Station (Izola)
6. Port of Piran
Piran, located near the southwestern tip of Slovenia, is a small port catering mainly to fishing vessels and leisure activities. It also serves as a docking point for smaller cruise ships and ferries that provide service to nearby coastal towns in Italy and Croatia. The port of Piran is a central part of the town’s tourist economy, offering services to pleasure yachts and smaller freighters.
City Location: Piran, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.5261° N
Longitude: 13.5700° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Koper | 30 | Piran-Koper Road |
| Trieste (Italy) | 40 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Izola | 15 | Piran-Izola Road |
| Ljubljana | 130 | A1 Highway |
| Venice (Italy) | 130 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Portorož | 10 | Portorož-Piran Road |
| Novigrad (Croatia) | 50 | E751 Highway (Croatia) |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Piran Railway Station (Piran)
- Koper Railway Station (Koper)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Ljubljana)
- Izola Railway Station (Izola)
7. Port of Izola
Izola is another smaller port, mostly known for supporting the local fishing industry and tourism. It serves as a base for various smaller boats and ferries that connect to neighboring ports along the Adriatic coastline. Izola’s port handles local shipments but is more popular as a marina for tourists and pleasure yachts.
City Location: Izola, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.5400° N
Longitude: 13.6556° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Koper | 10 | Koper-Izola Road |
| Trieste (Italy) | 35 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Ljubljana | 130 | A1 Highway |
| Piran | 5 | Piran-Izola Road |
| Portorož | 10 | Portorož-Izola Road |
| Venice (Italy) | 130 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Novigrad (Croatia) | 35 | E751 Highway (Croatia) |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Izola Railway Station (Izola)
- Koper Railway Station (Koper)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Ljubljana)
- Piran Railway Station (Piran)
8. Port of Portorož
Portorož, located near Piran, is known for its tourism-driven economy. The port handles ferry services, cruise ships, and smaller cargo operations. Though not a major freight hub, Portorož’s port supports Slovenia’s coastal tourism industry by facilitating yacht docking, cruise stopovers, and the transportation of goods within the region.
City Location: Portorož, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.5144° N
Longitude: 13.5944° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Koper | 30 | Koper-Portorož Road |
| Trieste (Italy) | 40 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Izola | 15 | Piran-Portorož Road |
| Ljubljana | 130 | A1 Highway |
| Piran | 10 | Portorož-Piran Road |
| Venice (Italy) | 130 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Novigrad (Croatia) | 50 | E751 Highway (Croatia) |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Portorož Railway Station (Portorož)
- Koper Railway Station (Koper)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Ljubljana)
- Izola Railway Station (Izola)
9. Port of Koper
As mentioned earlier, the Port of Koper is Slovenia’s primary port and is the gateway for most of Slovenia’s maritime trade. Its well-connected infrastructure, including road, rail, and sea links, enables efficient cargo handling and transshipment services for industries across Central and Eastern Europe.
City Location: Koper, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.5478° N
Longitude: 13.7304° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Trieste (Italy) | 30 | A4 Highway (Italy) |
| Ljubljana | 120 | A1 Highway |
| Venice (Italy) | 130 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Maribor | 190 | A1 Highway |
| Piran | 15 | Piran-Koper Road |
| Postojna | 50 | A1 Highway |
| Nova Gorica | 140 | H4 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Koper Railway Station (Koper)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Ljubljana)
- Maribor Railway Station (Maribor)
- Postojna Railway Station (Postojna)
10. Port of Izola
Izola serves primarily the local community, including leisure craft, fishing boats, and cruise ships. It is an essential port for Slovenia’s coastal tourism and serves as an entry point for goods traveling by ferry or small commercial vessels.
City Location: Izola, Slovenia
Latitude: 45.5400° N
Longitude: 13.6556° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Koper | 10 | Koper-Izola Road |
| Trieste (Italy) | 35 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Ljubljana | 130 | A1 Highway |
| Piran | 15 | Piran-Izola Road |
| Portorož | 10 | Portorož-Izola Road |
| Venice (Italy) | 130 | E61 Highway (Italy) |
| Novigrad (Croatia) | 35 | E751 Highway (Croatia) |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Izola Railway Station (Izola)
- Koper Railway Station (Koper)
- Trieste Railway Station (Italy)
- Ljubljana Railway Station (Ljubljana)
- Piran Railway Station (Piran)