Upgrade of the Rijeka Port infrastructure - Bakar bulk cargo terminal (POR2CORE-BCTB)

The project contributes to Funding Objective 1: bridging missing links, removing bottlenecks, enhancing rail interoperability, and, in particular, improving cross-border sections, in particular to the priority Pre-identified projects on the Core Network Corridors (railways, inland waterways, and roads, maritime and inland ports The project contributes to removing a significant bottleneck on transport network. In the context of the global project, this project will contribute to the better organization of cargo handling in port of Rijeka and it will contribute to the creation of more operational space in terminal areas. Reconstructions and rehabilitations of existing railway tracks in terminal areas will enable better connection to cargo railway station. In this way, the time of storing the cargo in the terminal area will be significantly shortened and circulation of cargo will be faster and more efficient. This is especially important taking into account that Rijeka port is a port of international significance and represents a traffic entry and exit point for Europe.

The project significantly contributes to free trade and free movement of goods, which are in the core of the internal market idea. Infrastructure improvement will speed up connection of the terminal area to the Bakar railway station and contribute to a faster, safer and more efficient transportation of cargo from and to Rijeka port. This is not only significant to Croatia, but also to other countries without or with limited sea access (Hungary, Austria, Slovenia and other), which are dependent on connections to maritime ports. The project will improve quality of interconnection of the Union regions, support regional development, and contribute to a sustainable and efficient transport system within the EU. Additionally, the project will reduce the quality gap between Member States and contribute to improving balance of cargo traffic intensity between north and south-European ports.

One of the important expected results of the project is the achievement of technical parameters of the rail tracks that would be complementary with the European requirements. The works comprised in the project are intended to improve accessibility to the Port of Rijeka and develop hinterland connections, which will create a solution for addressing existing and potential bottleneck issues and therefore enhance freight transport in the entire region. The project promotes and contributes to modal split and interoperability, as the linking infrastructure between maritime and railway traffic will be strengthened and modernized. The rail tracks will be reconstructed in accordance with European standards applied on other sections of the rail network, which will enable safe transportation of cargo on the whole railway line and all the way to the terminal part.

Implementing entity: Port Authority Rijeka; rijeka.gateway@portauthority.hr