CMA CGM strengthens its presence in Central Europe and signs with the Port of Koper to establish an automotive logistics joint venture

October 20, 2025

• The visit of Rodolphe Saade to the Port of Koper, the Adriatic's leading port and a key gateway to Central Europe, alongside Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, 20th October, is part of the broader effort to reinforce the Franco-Slovenian strategic partnership and to advance the development of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

• With more than 20 years of presence in Slovenia, the CMA CGM Group is consolidating its key role in connecting the Adriatic, Asia and Central Europe through its maritime services, intermodal solutions and the growing strength of its logistics activities.

• On this occasion, CMA CGM and the Port of Koper signed a declaration for the establishment of a joint venture as a limited liability company to equip, maintain and operate the site (land of 27,000 m2, located outside of the concession area) for automotive logistic services, upgrading a partnership that has been in place for over two decades.

The CMA CGM Group, a global player in maritime, land, air and logistics solutions, is strengthening its commitment to Central Europe through the expansion of its activities through the Port of Koper, the Adriatic's leading port and a strategic gateway to Central Europe.

Present in Slovenia for more than 20 years, the Group employs 102 employees locally and operates two direct weekly maritime services: the Phoenician Express connecting Asia to the Mediterranean, and the Bora Med service within the Mediterranean basin.

Building on strong intermodal connectivity combining sea and rail, CMA CGM contributes to the competitiveness of the Port of Koper, particularly in the transport of vehicles to and from Asia, in partnership with leading automanufacturers.

In the context of the emerging India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), CMA CGM and the Port of Koper share the ambition to strengthen Slovenia's role as a sustainable logistics hub at the heart of Europe. Both partners reaffirm their commitment to deepening cooperation and logistics activities and are considering the opportunity of joint projects to enhance the competitive position of Koper together with the development of regional trade flows.

CMA CGM and the Port of Koper are pursuing their collaboration through a first step on the way to establish a joint venture with CEVA Logistics, a Group subsidiary, dedicated to automotive logistics services for the import and export of finished vehicles.

CMA CGM's services from Koper are operated by LNG or methanol-powered vessels with a capacity of 15,000 TEUs, complemented by rail connections to major Central European markets, offering customers efficient, reliable and low-carbon transport solutions.


Strengthening our footprint in Central Europe: a new automotive logistics joint venture with the Port of Koper. Image by CMA CGM.

CMA CGM press release