After deepening the seabed at its container terminal last year to enable it to accept some of the world's biggest container ships, Luka Koper invested over EUR 40m in capacity expansion between January and September.

They built three liquid cargo containers and launched construction of a multi-purpose depot for general and bulk cargo, as well as built two kilometres of new rail tracks, and acquired new cranes.

The company will continue with the investment cycle in 2017, including to expand car storage capacities and expand the first container terminal pier by 100 metres, the latter planned for completion in 2018.

Speaking to the STA, the company's officials said that one of the key criteria in purchasing new equipment was that it should be environmentally-friendly, affording high fuel-efficiency and low emissions.

They also noted geopolitical risks, including troubles in North Africa and the Middle East as traditional markets for wood exports, which is being reflected in lower wood transshipment.

The biggest risk to expansion plans is whether they will manage to get development permits on time, especially as the Koper municipality has been opposing the extension of the container terminal pier.

The company's estimates put this year's transshipment at 22 million tonnes, a rise of 6% from last year. The figure is planned to be raised to 22.8 million tonnes in 2017.

Group net sales revenue for 2016 is estimated at EUR 199.5m, up 8% from last year, while group net profit is to have reached EUR 43.4m by the end of the year, a 34% growth compared to 2015.

For 2017 the company plans group net sales revenue in excess of EUR 215m and a group net profit to the tune of EUR 47.5m.