Luka Koper’s Container Terminal achieved a record in monthly cargo throughput in October. The total volume of container freight loaded/unloaded at the port amounted to the equivalent of 34,685 TEUs, which is the highest monthly volume in its history. This record can undoubtedly be attributed to new infrastructure which has made Luka Koper’s operations even more efficient, and thereby more attractive to shippers, particularly as regards trade flows from the Far East. 9th November saw the arrival of the container giant CMA-CGM Flaubert and a further 4,400 TEUs, which is yet another record for a single vessel calling at the Port of Koper.

The Port of Koper handled 280,349 TEUs during the first ten months of 2009, which is a year-on fall of five percent precipitated by the recession that especially impacted cargo flows during the early months of this year. Indeed, general economic conditions are very different this year than last, thus the record levels of container freight can be seen as a great achievement, whilst the overall situation remains some five percent ahead of expectations.

In terms of throughput, October performance has been gratifying across all of Luka Koper’s operations. 1,372,132 tonnes of cargo were handled, a figure which is twelve percent ahead of anticipated volumes. Although overall performance in the first nine months of 2009 was eleven percent down on 2008, we remain most optimistic about the final quarter as well as the year ahead. Although vehicles, general and dry bulk cargos have been relatively sluggish, timber and perishables, as well as liquid cargos, have all recorded increases on last year’s levels.