Slovenia’s Port of Koper is in talks with several Indian shipping lines, including state-run Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), for establishing a direct port connectivity between the two countries, a senior Port of Koper official said.
“We are talking to several shipping lines for establishing a direct shipping connection with our port. Shipping Corporation of India is one among them,” Port of Koper’s Board of Management’s Vice-President Mr Tomaa Martin Jamnik told PTI.
The port management would be happy if the SCI considers its request, Mr Jamnik said, adding “it is their call now.”
Port of Koper is Slovenia’s only port and serves as the gateway to central and south-eastern European markets.
Mr Jamnik was part of a Slovenian delegation that visited India at the invitation of apex industry body, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), to explore further trade opportunities between the two countries.
A direct connection with the Koper Port would not only reduce shipping time to Europe from India but also enhance trade, he said.
“We are a European port and not simply a Slovenian one that is at a distance of less than 2,000 nautical miles from India compared to the Rotterdam Port (in Netherlands). Moreover, we are also some 400-800 km close to the European market as well,” Mr Jam nik said.
Shipping Corporation of India Chairman Mr S C Hajara confirmed having received a request from the Port of Koper.
“They have given a request. It is a part of several such requests that we receive. We will study the market before taking any decision,” Mr Hajara said.
The port (of Koper) is eyeing the high-volume India- Europe trade, which at present is handled by other ports, mainly Rotterdam, he said, adding the strategic location of the port offered a big advantage.
With 25 berths, the Koper port has 11 specialised terminals, including passenger, fruit, timber, container, livestock and car. The V and X pan-European transport corridors, which pass through Slovenia, are also linked with the Koper port.
“We are talking to several shipping lines for establishing a direct shipping connection with our port. Shipping Corporation of India is one among them,” Port of Koper’s Board of Management’s Vice-President Mr Tomaa Martin Jamnik told PTI.
The port management would be happy if the SCI considers its request, Mr Jamnik said, adding “it is their call now.”
Port of Koper is Slovenia’s only port and serves as the gateway to central and south-eastern European markets.
Mr Jamnik was part of a Slovenian delegation that visited India at the invitation of apex industry body, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), to explore further trade opportunities between the two countries.
A direct connection with the Koper Port would not only reduce shipping time to Europe from India but also enhance trade, he said.
“We are a European port and not simply a Slovenian one that is at a distance of less than 2,000 nautical miles from India compared to the Rotterdam Port (in Netherlands). Moreover, we are also some 400-800 km close to the European market as well,” Mr Jam nik said.
Shipping Corporation of India Chairman Mr S C Hajara confirmed having received a request from the Port of Koper.
“They have given a request. It is a part of several such requests that we receive. We will study the market before taking any decision,” Mr Hajara said.
The port (of Koper) is eyeing the high-volume India- Europe trade, which at present is handled by other ports, mainly Rotterdam, he said, adding the strategic location of the port offered a big advantage.
With 25 berths, the Koper port has 11 specialised terminals, including passenger, fruit, timber, container, livestock and car. The V and X pan-European transport corridors, which pass through Slovenia, are also linked with the Koper port.