AGCT handles largest vessel to call Rijeka

Maiden call of the CMA CGM ADONIS at AGCT. This new milestone underscores the increasing importance of Rijeka as a strategic gateway for container traffic serving Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Hungary and Central Europe.

Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) container handling facility in Croatia, received the largest vessel to call the Port of Rijeka – the CMA CGM ADONIS. The 15,536 TEU vessel made its inaugural call at AGCT on July 5, 2025.

The CMA CGM ADONIS is part of the OCEAN Alliance’s Asia-Med (MED5) service jointly operated by CMA CGM, OOCL, COSCO Shipping Lines, and Evergreen Line. Its arrival signifies a capacity upgrade for the service, as it is the first vessel of its size to call the port and the region. More similarly sized vessels will soon be deployed, including the CMA CGM APOLLON, CMA CGM OZIRIS, and CMA CGM HERMES. The vessel’s deployment reflects not only CMA CGM’s confidence in Rijeka and the broader Southeast and Central European markets, but also the belief among Ocean Alliance partners in the importance and growing capacity of Rijeka and AGCT.

“The arrival of CMA CGM ADONIS is another milestone for AGCT and the Croatian port sector,” said Emmanuel Papagiannakis, AGCT chief executive officer.

With investments and close collaboration with shipping lines, Rijeka maintains its position as a high-capacity gateway for the wider region. AGCT continues its close cooperation with stakeholders, including the Croatian government and the Port Authority Rijeka.

“We have the design for Phase 2 dredging underway and proposal for extending the quay line on West side. At the same time, rail works remain on schedule to ensure increasing vessel capacity is matched by landside capability, given that the Port of Rijeka’s future growth depends on increasing its rail share,” added Papagiannakis.

The arrival of CMA CGM ADONIS follows the completion of infrastructure upgrades at AGCT, including the first phase of a dredging project that now allows the terminal to accommodate ultra large container vessels. This development is also part of AGCT’s ongoing investment worth over USD40 million dollars. Moreover, two new super post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes are scheduled to arrive in November this year to enhance the terminal’s vessel-handling capabilities. ACGT is introducing two hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes along with a fleet of electric terminal tractors to further support its green initiatives and make yard operations more energy efficient.