June 28, 2025
A Digital Leap for Port Efficiency
Rijeka Gateway, the operator of APM Terminals’ (Maersk) new facility in Croatia, has become the first container terminal in the Upper Adriatic to fully digitalize truck management. Partnering with German logistics tech firm Conroo, the terminal has implemented a smartphone-based system that replaces physical gates, plastic ID cards, and paper processes with a seamless digital solution. The innovation positions Rijeka as a pioneer in smart port infrastructure within the region.
How It Works: The Conroo App Revolution
Thanks to the app and a widespread monitoring system, the innovation will eliminate physical pre-gates, plastic cards and all paper processes, replacing them with a real-time, mobile and entirely digital solution. A step that allows the Rijeka Gateway to boast the title of the first terminal entirely managed remotely in the Adriatic, from the pre-registration of trucks, to their access through the gate, up to their arrival at the yard and exit.
The system centers on a driver-facing mobile app that streamlines every step of terminal access:
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Pre-registration: Truckers submit documentation digitally before arrival.
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Real-time navigation: The app provides live instructions for terminal movement, reducing idle time.
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Automated gates: Camera and sensor systems validate credentials without manual checks.
By eliminating analog bottlenecks, the terminal cuts waiting times by up to 70%, according to initial trials.
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Environmental and Operational Benefits
- Reduced congestion: Fewer idling trucks lower fuel use and CO₂ emissions.
- Resource savings: Paperless workflows cut administrative waste.
- 24/7 accessibility: Drivers gain self-service flexibility, speeding up turnarounds.
“When trucks move efficiently, we save time, fuel, and resources—benefiting both business and the environment,” said Peter Corfitsen, CEO of Rijeka Gateway.
Industry Impact and Future Vision
The project reflects broader trends in port digitalization, with Conroo’s app already deployed in 30+ terminals globally. “Smartphones are the new infrastructure,” noted Felix Paul Czerny, Conroo’s CEO. “This scalable tool connects terminals and truckers in real time, setting a new standard for multimodal logistics.”
Rijeka Gateway’s IT Manager, Jean-Louis Sebapo, emphasized the strategic choice: “We implemented the most innovative practices to integrate drivers digitally, boosting efficiency for all stakeholders.”
Why It Matters
- For truckers: Simplified processes and reduced delays.
- For terminals: Higher throughput and lower operational costs.
- For Croatia: Reinforces Rijeka’s role as a key Adriatic hub amid growing competition with Koper and Trieste.
The terminal’s full operational launch is slated for late 2025.
Sources: Rijeka Gateway, Conroo, Port Technology International