TRIESTE – This week, construction will begin at the Port of Koper on the northern extension of Pier I, starting with the installation of the first steel piles.
This marks the initial phase of a strategic project to boost container traffic, with the new operational infrastructure set to be completed by the end of 2027. The work involves the gradual installation of 1,750 piles, each measuring between 60 and 70 meters in length, at a maximum rate of 100 piles per month. Operations will take place only on weekdays, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and will be subject to specific environmental conditions. Dredging to a depth of 16 meters and area preparation have already been completed, while two shipments carrying 250 piles each (totaling 5,500 tons) have arrived in recent weeks along with the pile-driving equipment.
The project – awarded to Kolektor Koling Inženiring in partnership with CGP – includes the construction of 326 meters of quay with two new berths, the expansion of operational space with 7 hectares of new yard area, marine dredging, and all complementary infrastructure. Once completed, the container terminal’s capacity will increase to 1.8 million TEUs per year.
The piles will be installed in two stages: initially to 80% of the depth using vibration, with the remaining 20% driven into place. The entire process will be subject to close environmental monitoring: in addition to standard parameters such as noise and dust, vibration and water turbidity will also be measured to ensure minimal environmental impact.
The piles will be topped with prefabricated reinforced concrete caps and connected to prefabricated beams and crossbeams. As in the southern extension of the pier, a 70-centimeter-thick concrete slab will be built, waterproofed and overlaid with a second 30-centimeter slab.
The total value of the contract, also published at the EU level, amounts to €152.9 million (excluding VAT). Luka Koper, the port operating company, considers this investment essential to meet growing demand and to strengthen the port’s role as a key container hub in the North Adriatic.
