On 20 October 2025, CMA CGM and the Port of Koper signed a declaration to establish a joint venture dedicated to automotive logistics. Together with its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, the group will develop a 27,000-square-metre facility for the storage, maintenance and handling of finished vehicles.
“With this project, we are strengthening a partnership that has lasted for more than 20 years,” CMA CGM said in an official statement.
The collaboration aims to expand specialised services for the import and export of new vehicles, particularly within the framework of the emerging IMEC trade route.
Koper as a key port for Central Europe
Located on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, the Port of Koper is regarded as the most important maritime gateway to Central Europe. For German, Austrian and Eastern European logistics companies, the port is attractive because it provides direct access to Asian markets, with two weekly CMA CGM liner services operating in the Mediterranean and to Asia.
Koper also benefits from excellent intermodal connections. Rail links allow efficient and low-carbon transport to key markets in Germany, Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic—“an ideal setup for vehicle logistics,” according to the company.
Logistics expansion with political backing
The contract signing drew high-level attention: French President Emmanuel Macron and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob accompanied CMA CGM CEO Rodolphe Saadé on his visit to the port. The initiative forms part of the Franco-Slovenian strategic partnership aimed at strengthening logistics infrastructure along key European corridors.
CEVA Logistics to manage operations
As part of the joint venture, CEVA Logistics, CMA CGM’s logistics subsidiary, will assume operational responsibility for vehicle logistics, including handling, storage and intermodal transport of finished vehicles. The project is expected to bring new investment, employment opportunities and international connections to the region.
Sustainability in focus
For its services to and from Koper, CMA CGM will deploy 15,000-TEU vessels powered by LNG or methanol. Combined with rail transport, this creates a low-emission logistics solution designed for car manufacturers committed to sustainable supply chains.
Implications for Germany and the wider logistics industry
For logistics operators in Germany, Koper is set to become an increasingly strategic import gateway—particularly for automotive cargo. The port offers an alternative to traditional North Range hubs such as Bremerhaven and Hamburg, especially for vehicle imports from Asia.
The project could intensify competition among European ports for automotive volumes while opening new opportunities for freight forwarders, rail operators and logistics providers along the corridor.
