October the 12th, 2026 – Rijeka has received brand new infrastructure that should further strengthen its position as a gateway to the markets of eastern and southeastern Europe.
In 2025, the Croatian transport and logistics sector was deeply marked by major infrastructure projects, growth in road and maritime transport, and a strong investment cycle in transport infrastructure. Nevertheless, overall freight traffic did not grow: during the year 132 million tonnes of goods were transported in Croatia, 1.1 percent less than in 2024. Ana Roksandic reports for Poslovni that road transport remained dominant with 94.8 million tonnes, with growth of one percent, while the largest drop was recorded in rail transport, where the quantity of goods transported fell by 21.2 percent, according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS).
The most important event of last year was the start of commercial operations of the Rijeka Gateway container terminal in September. The terminal, worth around 380 million euros, in the first phase has a capacity of 650 thousand TEU per year, with planned expansion to more than one million TEU. With this, Rijeka has received infrastructure that should further strengthen its position as a gateway for the markets of Central and Southeast Europe. A key precondition for realising that potential is the development of railway infrastructure and quality connection of Rijeka with Central European markets.
“With the commercial start of operations in September, Rijeka Gateway operated for only four months in 2025, which is why it can primarily be viewed as a year of launching and stabilising operations, and not as a full business year. That year laid solid foundations for further growth and development of the business. The first phase of terminal construction exceeds a value of 200 million euros, and with the planned expansion the total value of the investment in Rijeka Gateway will exceed 380 million euros.
Together with the value of the transport infrastructure, from roads to the railway interface in and around the port, the total investment reaches 600 million euros. More than the business results, we are proud of the entire team that, through dedicated work, togetherness and readiness for cooperation, achieved what only a year ago seemed like a major challenge – the successful launch of the terminal and an excellent start of operational work,” said Peter Corfitsen, President of the Management Board of Rijeka Gateway.
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