TRIESTE – The AGCT (Adriatic Gate Container Terminal) in Rijeka has welcomed the largest vessel ever to call at the Croatian port. The CMA CGM Adonis, with a capacity of over 15,500 TEUs, berthed for the first time on July 5. The vessel operates on the Asia-Mediterranean MED5 service of the OCEAN Alliance, jointly managed by CMA CGM, OOCL, COSCO Shipping Lines, and Evergreen Line. This marks the first time a ship of this size has called at Rijeka, and it will be followed by sister vessels such as CMA CGM Apollon, Oziris, and Hermes. The decision to deploy vessels of this scale appears to reflect the shipping lines’ confidence in the potential of the Croatian terminal and its growing role in trade between Asia and Central and Southeastern Europe.
According to Emmanuel Papagiannakis, CEO of AGCT, the call of the CMA CGM Adonis is a milestone for the port and for the national logistics system. The achievement stems from the structural investments made in recent years, including the first phase of dredging, which enabled access for ultra large container vessels and is part of a plan exceeding 40 million US dollars. “We have already started designing Phase 2 of the dredging works and submitted the proposal for the western berth extension. At the same time, rail infrastructure works are progressing as scheduled, so that the increase in maritime capacity is matched on the landside as well, considering that the future growth of the Port of Rijeka depends on boosting the share of rail transport,” Papagiannakis added.
The terminal continues to enhance its equipment: by November, two new super post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes are expected to arrive, along with hybrid rubber-tyred gantry cranes and electric yard vehicles, in line with environmental targets. Rijeka thus reaffirms its position as a strategic hub for container traffic in the North Adriatic, ready to attract new routes and international cargo flows, also thanks to the upcoming launch of operations at the new container terminal operated by A.P. Moller-Maersk.
