HŽ Cargo Expands Car Train Operations from Rijeka Port

HŽ Cargo, the freight division of Croatian Railways, has begun operating dedicated car trains from the Port of Rijeka, signaling a strategic shift toward rail-based automotive distribution in Southeast Europe. This development reflects growing demand for multimodal solutions that combine sea freight arrivals at Rijeka with rail connectivity to inland European markets, reducing reliance on road transport and improving supply chain efficiency for automotive shippers. The initiative is particularly significant for automotive supply chains seeking alternatives to road-dominated routes across the Balkans and Central Europe.

By offering direct rail connections from a major Adriatic port, HŽ Cargo provides customers with enhanced capacity, lower per-unit transportation costs, and reduced congestion on regional highways. This positions Rijeka as a more competitive alternative to Northern European ports for automotive OEMs and logistics providers serving Central and Eastern European markets. For supply chain professionals, this represents an opportunity to optimize routing strategies and reduce total logistics costs for automotive shipments destined for landlocked regions.

However, success depends on service reliability, competitive pricing relative to road alternatives, and coordination with port operators and rail networks across multiple countries—factors that require careful evaluation during supplier or modal selection processes.