The Port of Ploce, situated between the cities of Split and Dubrovnik, popular tourist destinations, just north of the Neretva river delta, lays Croatia’s second largest international port. Ploce is the entry-point to a trade route (Corridor Vc) which links heavy industries in Bosnia and Herzegovina to supplies shipped by sea. The Ploce gateway also plays a major role in linking Croatia to EU markets.

The Port of Ploce has been experiencing significant traffic growth, mostly resulting from industrial restructuring in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the Port’s infrastructure in its current state would not be able to respond successfully to the rising challenges. The Government of Croatia, recognizing the need to take action, with the help of the World Bank, orchestrated a truly regional venture, with the ambitious goal of turning the Port of Ploce into a modern, efficient, service oriented regional gateway for trade and transport serving a growing number of Port clients.

Project Components

• The Port Infrastructure Development component for the Port of Ploce will include the construction of a new bulk cargo terminal, construction of a container/multipurpose terminal and rehabilitation of the supporting port infrastructure such as roads, rail, water and wastewater and power supply.
• The Trade and Transport Integration component will focus on the development and rollout of a modern electronic port community system, integrating all members of the port community, shipping agents, rail, road transport, border agencies, into a seamless information system, and ensuring smooth and coordinated functioning of the Port.
• The project implementation component will, among other activities, support the successful implementation of the Project through technical assistance to the Port of Ploce Authority to implement its business plan and establish the concession for new terminals.