Vladimir Lekić, General Manager of Dragon Maritime Belgrade – COSCO SHIPPING Enters Montenegro: First Service Launched via Port of Bar

Following Piraeus, Koper, and Rijeka, COSCO SHIPPING has now launched a new connection to the Port of Bar through a public feeder service, marking the Chinese maritime giant’s first entry into Montenegro. This significant milestone served as the occasion for an interview with Vladimir Lekić, General Manager of Dragon Maritime SEE d.o.o. Belgrade, the official representative of COSCO SHIPPING LINES in Serbia and other Western Balkan countries.

In our conversation with Mr. Lekić, we also discussed opportunities in Serbia’s economy, trade potential, and the future of maritime transport.

PL: You recently started a public feeder connection to the Port of Bar. After Koper and Rijeka, what led you to open a new gateway in the Adriatic region?

– Bar is one of the main entry points for the Serbian market, with approximately 30% of Serbia’s containerized import-export volume passing through this Montenegrin port. The first public feeder vessels carrying COSCO SHIPPING containers arrived in February, and we’ve already seen strong interest in the Serbian market for utilizing this service via Bar. Import cargo originates primarily from China, the Middle East, and Europe.

Beyond imports, one of our key objectives is to utilize the Port of Bar as an export gateway from the Serbian market to various overseas destinations.

We also see significant potential in developing rail transport between Bar and different terminals in Serbia through the establishment of new intermodal connections.

PL: How are your results performing across other COSCO SHIPPING services?

– Since the launch of the Land-Sea Express service in 2017, we’ve recorded continuous growth in container volume for the Serbian market.

I emphasize that the mentioned service offers our customers two main routing options. One through a direct rail connection between the Port of Piraeus and Belgrade, and the other via the PRS (cf. Piraeus-Rijeka-Express) feeder service to the Port of Rijeka, followed by a rail connection to Serbia. Currently, 5 to 6 trains operate weekly along these two routes, with regular connections to several intermodal terminals in Serbia.

In total volume, COSCO SHIPPING handled over 30,000 TEUs for clients in the Serbian market throughout 2024, covering a wide range of import-export services and transport corridors.

PL: Serbia’s foreign trade profile is evolving, and container transport is gaining greater importance. How does this trend affect your business?

– In recent years, we’ve witnessed accelerated economic growth in Serbia, which has had a direct impact on the development of the transport industry. The container transport market in Serbia is currently estimated at around 170,000 TEU annually, including both import and export volumes. Over the past decade, cargo volumes have tripled, with a continued upward trend in both the overall market and intermodal transport.

This volume growth is largely driven by a significant rise in exports to new overseas markets, including destinations in the Far East, the Mediterranean, and North and South America. A decade ago, Serbia’s exports were dominated by raw wood materials, logs, and various types of waste. Today, export structures have become more diverse, ranging from tires, copper ore, and automotive components to food and other increasingly relevant product categories.

PL: Chinese companies are now among the largest exporters from Serbia. At the same time, there’s been a noticeable increase in export shipments to the Far East and North American markets.

– Statistics show that around 1,500 Chinese companies operate in Serbia across various industries. Their investments have significantly contributed to the development of container transport. These companies export their products to various markets, including EU member states, but also overseas markets—particularly the Far East and North America.

We’re seeing strong growth in exports to the American market, especially in the automotive and rubber industries. COSCO SHIPPING has expanded its capacity on the Transatlantic Trade (TAT) service, and we are actively working to meet the growing demand for ocean freight space from Serbian exporters.

PL: COSCO SHIPPING’s global strategy is to offer clients a complete logistics solution. Does that also apply locally?

– Dragon Maritime closely follows COSCO SHIPPING’s global strategy by developing the necessary infrastructure to support end-to-end transport and efficient supply chain management for our clients at the local level.

Within our company, we have established dedicated teams for customs brokerage, warehousing, special and oversized cargo transport, project logistics, as well as additional services related to Air Freight and LCL transport. Our comprehensive approach enables us to offer an integrated range of transport and logistics services to our clients. This is especially valuable for large international companies which often engage us through global tenders and benefit from our “one-stop-shop” logistics model.

PL: Due to the recent market turbulence, shipping companies are increasingly adopting innovation. How important is digitalization in maritime transport today?

– The maritime transport industry is undergoing rapid digital transformation across all areas of operation. Today, shipping companies offer clients the ability to book cargo online, while developments of revolutionary solutions are making end-to-end shipment tracking possible.
At the same time, traditional paper-based transport documents are becoming obsolete thanks to the accelerated adoption of the electronic Bill of Lading (cf. e-BL), based on blockchain technology, which will enable safer and more efficient business operations in the digital environment.

PL: We are aware of long-term global disruptions impacting shipping rates and supply chain continuity. How are clients coping with these challenges today?

– Around 80–90% of global trade is transported by sea, so the impact of global events on the shipping industry—and especially on containerized transport—is undeniable. However, in the post-COVID period, the shipping industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience to many challenges, and clients today are far more adaptable to disruptions in global supply chains. Many companies now rely on increased inventory levels, replacing the traditional “just-in-time” model with a “just-in-case” approach that prioritizes business continuity and resilience in such circumstances.

Additionally, there is a growing shift toward diversified sourcing strategies. By relocating production and procurement closer to end markets through nearshoring, clients are effectively reducing their exposure to global supply chain disruptions.

Interview conducted by Marija Kambić