IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GREEN PORT CONCEPT IN THE PORT OF KOPER

European transport market has changed significally in the last two decades. The establishment of production facilities in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe has made cargo flows from Adriatic ports growing, as their location enables shorter transit times to the hinterland countries. As the strategic goal of Adriatic ports is to become one of the most important gateway regions in Europe, traffic growth represents a great financial and development opportunity for them, but at the same time, it has a significant impact on environmental pollution and the quality of life in the surrounding area. To support European ports development in an environmental friendly way, several studies and environmental priorities has been published within the EU. The port of Koper as the leading container and car carrying port of the North Adriatic area is trying to follow those directions. Its goal is to increase traffic along with the concern for the environment, so their future investments will be part of the strategy to become a green port. The paper therefore presents EU priorities that the North Adriatic ports, especially Koper, will have to implement, insofar as they want to acquire the status of green port.