Port of Ploče

What Port of Ploče does

Port of Ploče (legal entity Luka Ploče d.d.) is a publicly listed Croatian universal port management company headquartered in Ploče on the southern Adriatic coast, operating 230 hectares of port infrastructure with seven specialized terminals handling container, bulk, general, grain/alumina/petroleum coke, wood, and liquid cargo. The port is the primary maritime gateway for landlocked Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 95% of arriving containers in transit to BiH, and sits at the Adriatic terminus of Corridor Vc, the Paneuropean transport corridor connecting the Adriatic to Budapest and Central Europe. Annual throughput capacity stands at 4.8 million tonnes for bulk and general cargo and 60,000 TEU for containers, with berths up to 18m depth accommodating cape-size vessels up to 180,000 DWT; the 2019 commissioning of a new bulk terminal (4.6M tonnes/yr, expandable to 6.2M tonnes) and a planned container terminal expansion (quay to 330m, storage to 25 ha) are the headline capex projects.

The company's core technology stack is operational rather than digital-native: a Port Community Management (PCM) system integrates container, bulk, and general cargo workflows with external applications and users, complemented by an internal application suite covering work planning, maintenance, time tracking, invoicing, and HR, accessible via the ALP web portal. Core technology is therefore port operations management and cargo handling infrastructure — specialized equipment, silos, covered warehouses (35,834 m²), and dedicated berths — rather than software products. The Group structure includes three wholly-owned subsidiaries (Luka Šped for freight forwarding, Pomorski servis for maritime services, and Pločanska plovidba for maritime/coastal transport) and two 49%-held associates (Lučka sigurnost for security, Vizir for fire protection).

Revenue is generated through transaction-based port service tariffs (mooring/unmooring, loading/unloading, transshipment, storage, and stevedoring) published in a public tariff document for international cargo traffic, with supplementary professional services revenue from subsidiaries. The GTM is sales-led B2B, with long-term enterprise contracts targeting shipping companies, logistics operators, and industrial importers/exporters (notably Bosnian steel and metals players). The company is listed on the Zagreb Stock Exchange under ticker LKPC-R-A since 2005, with share capital of €22.4M (422,967 shares at €53.00 nominal) and a 251-500 employee headcount.

Name

Port of Ploče

Legal name

Luka Ploče d.d.

Website

https://luka-ploce.hr

Company type

Public

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Port of Ploče is a Croatian publicly listed universal port operator running seven terminals for container, bulk, general, grain, and liquid cargo, serving as the primary maritime gateway for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Central European markets via Corridor Vc.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port Operations and Cargo Handling Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (48831), Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Marine Cargo Handling (48832)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Transloading & Intermodal Bulk Transfer Facilities (Rail/Truck/Conveyor/Barge) (TLAHABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Feeder & Short-Sea Container Terminals (TLAHAAAC), Port Operations Control Center / Port Call Orchestration (TLAHAFAI), Port Equipment Operations (Crane Operators, RTG/RMG, Straddle Carrier Operations) (TLAHALAE)

Keywords

• Port operations services
• Cargo handling terminals
• Maritime logistics
• Bulk cargo handling
• Container terminal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ploce

HQ country

Croatia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Port Services and Cargo Handling: Core revenue from port services including mooring/unmooring of vessels, loading/unloading and transshipment of goods, storage and handling of goods, passenger embarkation/disembarkation, and stevedoring operations. As a universal port, handles various cargo types including bulk, general, liquid, and container cargo.
2. Subsidiary Operations: Revenue from wholly-owned subsidiaries: Luka Šped (freight forwarding), Pomorski servis (maritime services), and Pločanska plovidba (maritime transport). Services include customs brokerage, vessel mooring/unmooring, pilotage transport, water supply, waste reception, and pest control.
3. Storage and Warehousing: Revenue from storage services across multiple terminals including covered warehouses (35,834 m2), open storage areas, silos for grain and alumina, and specialized facilities for various cargo types.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Port of Ploče operates a universal seaport providing vessel mooring/unmooring, loading/unloading, transshipment, storage, and handling of bulk, general, liquid, and container cargo across seven specialized terminals. The company serves as the primary maritime gateway for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Central European markets via Corridor Vc rail and road connectivity, supported by wholly-owned subsidiaries in freight forwarding and maritime services.

Product overview

Luka Ploče d.d. is a universal port company operating seven terminals covering container, bulk cargo, general cargo, grain, alumina/petroleum coke, and wood handling, plus a business unit in Metković. The port serves as a multi-purpose hub for nearly all cargo types in international maritime traffic, with total annual throughput capacity of 4.8 million tonnes of bulk and general cargo and 60,000 TEU of container capacity. The company also operates a Port Community Management (PCM) IT platform for internal process automation. The Luka Ploče Group includes subsidiaries Luka Šped (freight forwarding) and Pomorski Servis (maritime services). Development projects include a new bulk cargo terminal (240,000m²) and expansion plans for the container terminal (quay extension to 330m, storage increase to 25ha).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Container Terminal Container terminal handling standard 20' and 40' containers, reefer containers, and specialized containers with annual capacity of 60,000 TEU. Supports feeder liner connections to Mediterranean hub ports. For shipping companies, freight forwarders, and industrial cargo owners.
• Bulk Cargo Terminal Bulk cargo terminal handling coal, iron ore, raw and old iron, coke, bauxite, and quartz with 510m quay length, 200,000t storage capacity, and 15,000t/day throughput capability. For industrial commodity importers and exporters.
• General Cargo Terminal General cargo terminal handling iron products, aluminum products, lumber, jumbo bag cargo, structures, equipment, and heavy colli with 410m quay length at 9.2m depth and 35,834m² covered warehouse storage. For industrial cargo clients requiring diverse handling.
• Grain and Free-Flowing Cargo Terminal Grain and free-flowing cargo terminal with own quay, railway siding, and road access. Handles grains, oilseeds, raw sugar, and other dry bulk cargo with 35,000t single storage capacity. For agricultural commodity traders and processors.
• Alumina and Petroleum Coke Terminal Specialized terminal for alumina and petroleum coke with two separate facilities: steel silo for alumina (20,000t capacity) and enclosed storage for petroleum coke (10,000t capacity). For industrial commodity specialists.
• Wood Terminal Wood terminal serving as a collection center for wood from Bosnia and Herzegovina, handling drying, sorting, cutting, and packaging of lumber before international shipment with 15,000m³ single storage capacity. For timber traders and processors.
• New Bulk Cargo Terminal New bulk cargo terminal on the right bank of the Vlaška canal with 240,000m² surface area, 365m quay length, 18m draft, accommodating cape-size vessels up to 180,000 DWT. Annual throughput capacity of 4.6 million tonnes, expandable to 6.2 million tonnes. For industrial bulk commodity operators requiring large-vessel capacity.
• PJ Metković (River Port Business Unit) Business unit in Metković located 20km from the Neretva river mouth, specializing in bulk and bagged cement, granulated stone, and other cargo types, with a 4,000t silo and 200t/h throughput. For cement and construction materials clients.
• Luka Šped Freight Forwarding Services International freight forwarding services including customs brokerage, cargo loading/unloading, warehousing, road/rail/sea transport, cargo insurance, documentation, shipment tracking, and door-to-door services. For cargo owners and importers/exporters using the Port of Ploče.
• Pomorski Servis Maritime Services Maritime services including vessel mooring/unmooring, pilot and crew transport, ship water supply, waste reception, and deratization, disinfection and pest control services. Also operates eco-boats for marine pollution response. For vessels calling at the port.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.8 million tonnes annual cargo capacity
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Luka Šped d.o.o.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly-owned subsidiary (100% ownership) established in 1998. Specializes in international freight forwarding services including customs brokerage, cargo loading/unloading/transshipment, storage, road/rail/maritime transport, cargo insurance, documentation, shipment tracking, and door-to-door services.
• Pomorski servis d.o.o.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly-owned subsidiary (100% ownership) established in 1998. Provides maritime services including vessel mooring/unmooring, pilot transportation, crew/passenger transport, water supply, waste reception, and deratization/disinfection services. Operates eco-boats for marine pollution response.
• Pločanska plovidba d.o.o.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly-owned subsidiary (100% ownership) for maritime and coastal transport of passengers and goods. Website: plocesailing.com
• Lučka sigurnost d.o.o.minorOthers49% ownership stake. Provides security services for persons and property. Located at Trg kralja Tomislava 21, Ploče.
• Vizir d.o.o.minorOthers49% ownership stake. Fire protection services company.
• ENNA GrupacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerENNA Grupa (Enna Naturoil d.d. and subsidiaries). Luka Ploče CEO Hrvoje Livaja served as Executive Director of Logistics for ENNA Grupa in 2016 before joining Luka Ploče. ENNA Grupa logo appears on Luka Ploče website footer, indicating ongoing business relationship.
• Koridor Vc Partnership (Multi-stakeholder)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort of Ploče signed Memorandum of Understanding in April 2025 for establishment of joint railway logistics platform on Corridor Vc. Aims to strengthen connectivity between the Adriatic and Central/Eastern European markets through more efficient and competitive railway transport.
• Lučka uprava Ploče (Port Authority Ploče)coreOthersPort Authority responsible for port infrastructure, safety, and regulatory oversight. Collaborates with Luka Ploče on environmental protection measures including separator installations for stormwater systems and marine protection.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Port of Durrës: Albania's largest port handling container, bulk, and general cargo with growing ferry/passenger operations. Comparable as an Adriatic/Eastern Mediterranean general cargo port but primarily serves Albanian rather than Central European markets.
• Port of Bar: Montenegro's principal Adriatic port handling containers, bulk cargo, and general freight. Competes for Western Balkans cargo flows but operates in a different national market, making it a regional rather than direct peer.

Direct peers

• Adriatic Gate Container Terminal: Container terminal at the Port of Rijeka operated as a public-private partnership. Direct competitor for Adriatic container throughput serving Central European markets and a key reference for benchmarking container terminal operations against Ploče's planned expansion.
• Luka Rijeka: Croatia's principal northern Adriatic container and bulk port, also serving Central European markets and competing for the same BiH and regional transit volumes as Port of Ploče. Closest geographic and operational peer within Croatia.
• Luka Koper: Slovenia's primary port operator handling containers, bulk, general cargo, and liquid cargo on the northern Adriatic. Direct competitor for Central European and Western Balkans cargo flows, with substantially larger container terminal capacity and established feeder line relationships.
• Port of Trieste: Major northern Adriatic port handling containers, bulk, and general cargo with direct rail connectivity into Central Europe. Competes for Central European and Italian industrial cargo flows and operates container terminals comparable to Ploče's planned expansion.

Broad incumbents

• Port of Venice: North Adriatic multi-purpose port handling containers, bulk, general cargo, and passenger traffic. Broader incumbent operating multiple terminals across a wider portfolio; overlaps with Ploče on Adriatic container and bulk segments but serves a different primary catchment.
• PSA International: One of the world's largest container terminal operators with Mediterranean and European presence. Broad incumbent comparable on terminal operational benchmarks and technology adoption; not directly competing with Ploče's multi-purpose Adriatic footprint.
• DP World: Global port operator with terminals across the Mediterranean and worldwide. Provides broader context on port management best practices and competitive benchmarks; not a direct Ploče competitor but a key incumbent shaping container terminal standards globally.

Others

• CMA CGM (Terminal Link): Global container shipping line and terminal investor with Mediterranean terminal interests. Not a direct competitor to Ploče's port operations but a relevant strategic counterparty in shipping line alliances that determine Adriatic feeder connectivity and terminal call patterns.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/luka.ploce
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/luka-ploce-dd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Port of Ploče