Maritime Day 2026 - Highlights

In her opening remarks, the minister noted that this year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Maritime Code—the first of its kind in the history of independent Slovenia—which serves as a solid legal foundation for the Slovenian maritime sector. She emphasized that the goal pursued by the Ministry is to establish a safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable maritime sector that operates according to the highest international standards and is constantly evolving and improving. Another important milestone on this path was the assessment of the Republic of Slovenia within the framework of the mandatory assessment system for member states conducted by the International Maritime Organization.

In her address, the Chairwoman of the Management Board of Luka Koper emphasized that she was deeply honored that the event was taking place in the new passenger terminal building, which stands on the foundations of one of the first warehouses of the Koper cargo port. It was in this very warehouse that sugar, one of the first cargoes to arrive in Koper from Cuba, was stored. She concluded her speech with the hope that the sea will continue to connect us in the future and inspire us to preserve and develop our maritime space through knowledge, responsibility, and vision. In this way, we will continue to prove time and again that we are and will remain a maritime nation.

Jadran Klinec, Director of the Maritime Administration, shared his closing remarks in an emotional speech at the event. He pointed out that while we did have a national shipping company in the past, we lost it. However, he said, this does not mean we cannot have one again in the future.

As part of the event, a special presentation and expression of gratitude were dedicated to seafarers, without whom no ship would enter or leave a port. Behind every safe entry and departure lies the knowledge, experience, and reliability of seafarers. Slovenia has quite a few successful seafarers who trained at the Secondary Maritime School and the Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport and are held in high regard by foreign shipowners. This recognition is not a given; it is the result of the professionalism, dedication, and trust they build through their work.

Musical accompaniment at the event was provided by a string quartet and a brass quintet from the Society of Friends of Music in Koper.

On this year’s Maritime Day, the Slovenian Maritime Administration extends its congratulations and gratitude to all who contribute in any way to raising Slovenia’s profile as a maritime nation, and to all who are connected in any way to the sea and the maritime sector.