Building the Port of Koper

Abstract

Using the preserved documentation and his recollection, the first director of the Port of Koper presents the problems related to the building of the port, from its beginning in the mid-Fifties - the first dock was opened at the end of 1958 - to the completion of the railway link between Koper and the national network in 1967. He describes the difficulties, arising from the lack of interest and support by federal and national authorities, locals had to deal with following their decision to build a port for transatlantic ships. The works began at the initiative by local politicians and entrepreneurs, and were, for a large part, executed by the Port employees themselves. Similar was the case in the construction of the railway link with Koper, which was financed by the Port itself through loans.