Croatia: Rijeka Gateway Project to Increase Int'l Cargo Traffic

13:47 - 02 June 2006 - Modernisation, overhaul and restructuring of Rijeka port within Rijeka Gateway project is gradually changing the look of Rijeka port and coastline, as the project aims to transform this port into one of the main ports not only in Croatia, but also in the central and eastern Europe, it was shown during a videoconference on revitalisation of European ports organised by the World Bank and organisation Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), 'CT' reports.

Rijeka Gateway project was initiated in July 2003 by Croatian government in cooperation with the World Bank, while this project should be completed by autumn 2009.
As it was said, this project also aims to increase competitiveness of Croatian economy by improving international cargo and passenger traffic in Rijeka, to modernise traffic connections between the port and road network and to revitalise and privatise port's business operations.

So far, a total of 20 contracts were signed within Rijeka Gateway project worth over USD 60 million, said Rijeka Port official Snjezana Papes.

Port works are conducted by companies from Japan, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Canada and Croatia.

This project also includes construction of a new maritime passenger terminal, 300 metres of the coastline, etc.

The total value of the project Rijeka Gateway amounts to USD 266 million, out of which USD 156,5 million were secured as a loan from the World Bank.

Source: Croatia Today.