Announcing the deal, Luka Koper said that the port of Koper would become one of the main export ports for vehicles produced in Mercedes-Benz plants in Germany and other European countries.

The estimated quantity of cars that is to go through the port of Koper represents 20% of Luka Koper's 2014 transshipment of vehicles.

"Daimler's decision is great honour for Luka Koper, but also a great commitment. We are convinced...that we will justify the trust of the German partners in the Slovenian logistics system," CEO Dragomir Matić said in a written statement.

The port last year transshipped a total of 519,000 vehicles to retain the position of the second largest car terminal among the EU member states in the Mediterranean.

Car transshipment was up by 16% in the first nine months of 2015 to more than 433,000 units.