How the Slovenian port of Koper became the Gateway to Europe

China's role in European trade is reshaping logistics at Slovenianian port of Koper, where rising flows of Chinese vehicles are prompting expansion of storage and handling capacity. 

China remained the European Union’s largest source of imported goods in 2025. Trade between the EU and China exceeded $850 billion.

Koper provides a short maritime gateway between Asia and markets across Central and Eastern Europe. Port officials say the southern shipping route can save around seven days compared with shipping through northern European ports.

"The Chinese importers are now targeting central and eastern Europe, and we are the best entry point for central and eastern Europe," Gregor Belič, a member of the Port of Koper management board, tells CGTN.

The port handled a record 1.27 million containers and more than 914,000 vehicles in 2025. Chinese-made vehicles are becoming an increasingly visible share of that traffic as Chinese manufacturers expand across European markets. Port officials expect around 100,000 Chinese vehicles to pass through Koper this year, compared with 11,000 in 2024. 

To accommodate growth, new enclosures and storage terminals are planned, taking vehicle storage capacity to around 62,000 units. The port is also seeking to connect inbound and outbound automotive routes. The aim is for vessels arriving from Asia with Chinese vehicles to carry European-made cars on return journeys, improving efficiency in both directions.

The expansion comes despite commercial tensions between China and the European Union. Brussels has emphasised concerns over market access, subsidies and a widening goods deficit, while Beijing says it wants trade to become more balanced. 

In June, China and the EU established ministerial trade and investment consultations focused partly on rebalancing commercial relations. Beijing has said it is ready to increase imports from Europe through initiatives including its “Export to China” programme and the China International Import Expo.

Žiga Vavpotič, chairman of the Slovenian-Chinese Business Council, says European businesses need to consider carefully what they can offer Chinese consumers.

"You know, we still didn't really sit down and think about what are those things that we, as the EU, can offer to China," he tells CGTN. "And there are many, because the deficit between import and export is definitely not where the good partners should stand on."

Koper demonstrates the potential for expanding China-EU commerce through improved transport links. But a more sustainable relationship will also depend on European companies gaining stronger access to China’s market and turning those logistics connections into greater two-way trade.