Management Reports • Feb 23, 2024
Management Reports
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Luka Koper Group and Luka Koper, d. d.
| 1 | Introductory note 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Performance highlights in 2023 3 | |
| 3 | Significant events, news and achievements in 2023 9 | |
| 4 | Key performance indicators 11 |
Compliant with the Market and Financial Instrument Act, Ljubljana Stock Exchange Rules as well as Guidelines and Disclosure for Listed Companies, Luka Koper, d. d., Vojkovo nabrežje 38, 6501 Koper discloses this Non-Audited Report on the performance of Luka Koper Group and Luka Koper, d. d., in 2023.
In compliance with the financial calendar, the Annual Report 2023 will be published on 18 April 2024.
The Luka Koper Group concluded another very successful business year. Business results exceeded expectations; new milestones were achieved in transshipment with records in several segments.
In 2023, net sales 2023 amounted to EUR 312.8 million and were at the level of revenues achieved in 2022. Within net sales the revenue from higher maritime throughput of containers and cars, increased volume of stuffing and stripping of containers, increased volume of additional services on goods and higher service prices increased by EUR 20 million. Compared to the previous year, due to the normalization of the situation on the global logistics market and the shortening of the storage time of containers, revenues from storage fees decreased by EUR 21 million. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) in 2023 amounted to EUR 60.9 million and was 27 percent lower than the one achieved in 2022 by 27 percent or EUR 22.2 million. Lower revenue from storage fees had the greatest impact on achieved lower earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) in 2023, whilst the Luka Koper Group largely compensated higher operating costs in the amount of EUR 23.3 million, which were the result of inflationary pressures, higher number of employees and agency workers with revenue from other services.
Record quantities of throughput in 2023 were achieved in two strategic commodity groups containers and cars and also at the Cruise terminal, refrigerated cargo terminal and liquid cargo terminal. On the segment of containers, 1,066,093 container units (TEUs) were transshipped in 2023, which was a 5 percent increase from 2022. The transshipment of cars in 2023 amounted to 916,728 cars (in units), which was 14 percent ahead in 2022. In this way, Luka Koper, d. d., consolidated its position and confirmed primacy among Northern Adriatic ports (containers) and Mediterranean (cars). In 2023, the Cruise terminal welcomed 120.553 passengers to the port, surpassing the achievement of 2019, when the port hosted 115,581 passengers. Total maritime throughput, measured in tons, was lower than the achieved one in 2022 by 4 percent, mainly due to the 15 percent lower throughput of general cargoes and 15 percent lower throughput of the commodity group dry bulk and bulk cargoes. In the general cargo commodity group, a lower maritime throughput of steel products and rubber was achieved, whilst in the commodity group of dry bulk cargoes and bulk cargoes, a lower throughput of soya, alumina, phosphates, coal and iron ore. 48 percent of cargo was transported by road, and 52 percent by rail. Compared to 2022, in 2023 the ratio changed by 2 percentage points in the direction of increase in road transport.
In 2023, most of the financial indicators exceeded the planned ones. Net sales were higher than planned by 8 percent or EUR 22.7 million. The main contribution to the achieved higher net sales was the revenue from the storage fees, which exceeded the planned amount by EUR 19 million, as the business plan forecasted a reduction of the retention time of containers due to the stabilization of the market. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were higher than planned by 76 percent or by EUR 26.4 million. In addition to the higher net sales, higher earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were positively affected by the lower cost of material, labour and depreciation and amortization, while higher cost of services resulted from an increase of port services related to the higher throughput in the commodity group of cars and costs of employment agencies. According to the plan, a 21 percent increase in turnover was achieved in the commodity group of cars (in units), the throughput of the commodity group containers (in TEU) lagged behind the plan by two percent. Total maritime throughput, measured in tons, was 5 percent lower than planned quantities.
The year 2023 began optimistically, with the indicated recovery of the global economy. Energy markets calmed down, energy prices fell, global GDP growth was stronger than expected. However, global economic growth moderated during the year. Toward the end of 2023, the impact of tighter financial conditions, weak trade growth and lower business and consumer confidence was increasingly felt. Increased geopolitical tensions are again raising the uncertainty about the short-term prospects.
The situation in logistics and supply chains has further exacerbated with the start of the attacks in the Red Sea, affecting all logistics stakeholders, including the final customers of goods in industrial production who depend on oversea transport via the Suez Canal. Due to the rerouting of ships around Africa on certain shipping services from Far East, Luka Koper is experiencing delays in ship arrivals, as the average transit time has increased from 10 to 14 days, indirectly the delay affects also the ships carrying cargo in Mediterranean via transshipment (hub) ports. So far, all the scheduled cargo arrived from Far East arrived in Koper. In December 2023, there were no significant impacts on the business performance due to the abovementioned uneven arrivals of cargo, the delays in ships arrivals and cargo will be reflected in the realization of monthly throughput plans in the first three months of 2024. If the situation does not realize in the coming months, this could also affect or decisions of shipowners or customers about changing the established transport routes from the Far East in Europe, which could be reflected in lower quantities of incoming cargo.
In 2023, several relevant investments were implemented for the Luka Koper Group, and namely the arrangement of the storage areas at the landfill 5A, construction of new reefer plugs for reefer containers, construction of the external Truck terminal at the Sermin entrance, modernization of the cooling and extinguishing system on the methanol tanks, construction of transformer station to power new galleries. Among the most important investment projects underway are the construction of the berth 12 and installation of solar power stations, execution of a public contract for the warehouse 54 and preparation of the documentation and obtaining of relevant permits for the extension of the northern side of the Pier I and arrangement of other areas for the needs of the Container terminal.
+8 % 2023/PLAN 2023 AT THE 2022 LEVEL

-5 % 2023/PLAN 2023
-4 % 2023/2022

1.1 MIO TEU
-2 % 2023/PLAN 2023
+5 % 2023/2022
+21 % 2023/PLAN 2023
+14 % 2023/2022
+76 % 2023/PLAN 2023 -27 % 2023/2022
+64 % 2023/PLAN 2023
-27 % 2023/2022

+37 % 2023/PLAN 2023
-18 % 2023/2022
+27 % 2023/PLAN 2023
-18 % 2023/2022

+75 % 2023/PLAN 2023
-24 % 2023/2022

-29 % 2023/2022

-29 % 2023/PLAN 2023
-18 % 2023/2022
-0,7 2023/PLAN 2023
+0,6 2023/2022


Business results of the Luka Koper Group in 2023 exceeded the expectations. In 2023, net sales amounted to EUR 312.8 million and were at the level of revenues achieved in 2022. Within net sales, the revenue from higher maritime throughput increased by EUR 20 million from increased maritime throughput volume of containers and cars, increased volume of stuffing and unstuffing of containers, increased volume of other additional services on goods and higher cost of services. Compared to the previous year, due to the normalization of the situation on the global logistics market and the shortening of the storage time of containers, revenues from storage fees decreased by 21 million.
In 2023, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) in 2023 amounted to EUR 60.9 million and were lower than the achieved in 2022 by 27 percent or EUR 22.2 million. Lower revenue from storage fees had the greatest impact on achieved lower earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) in 2023, whilst the Luka Koper Group largely compensated higher operating costs in the amount of EUR 23.3 million, which were the result of inflationary pressures, higher number of employees and agency workers with revenue from other services.
In 2023, operating costs 2023 amounted to EUR 258 million and compared to 2022 increased by 10 percent or EUR 23.3 million. All types of costs increased, except the cost of material, which compared to 2022 decreased by 3 percent or EUR 0.8 million from lower cost of spare parts and lower energy costs due to lower consumption and lower average price of motor fuel. The cost of services increased by 15 percent or EUR 10.5. Within the cost of services as result of higher volume of business, mainly due to the increased maritime transshipment of cars and higher costs of employees through the agencies, the cost of port services increased by EUR 4.7 million. Due to increased volume of maintenance works and higher prices the maintenance costs increased by EUR 3.9 million. Labour costs increased by 9 percent or EUR 8.6 million resulting from higher number of employees, higher payments for business performance and due to the adjustment of salaries to the inflation; amortization and depreciation costs are higher due to new asset purchases, other expenses are higher than last year mainly due to the formation of long-term provisions related to the lawsuits.
The share of operating costs within net sales net sales in 2023 amounted to 82.5 percent which was 7.6 percentage point ahead in 2022, when it amounted to 74,9 percent, mainly due to higher operating expenses as result of inflationary trends. Compared to 2022, the share of cost of services, labour costs and other expenses increased within net sales, the share of cost of material and amortization and depreciation remained unchanged. If for 2022 we exclude one-off impact of higher revenue from storage fees, which were the result of a single situation on the global market and the extended time the goods were kept in the warehouse, the share of operating expenses within net sales in 2022 would amount to 89.8 percent and would be higher by 7.4 percentage point compared to 2023. In this case, the share of all types of costs would decrease in 2023, except other expenses, which would remain at the same level.
Net operating result in 2023 amounting to EUR 56.4 million was lower than the achieved net operating result in 2022 by 24 percent or by EUR 17.7 million. The net operating result was positively affected by the profit or loss from financing in the amount of EUR 4.7 million, which was by 51 percent or EUR 1.6 million ahead on the previous year. The Group also generated financial income also on the financial markets through interests from interests on shortterm bank deposits and treasury bonds. The results of associated companies in 2023 amounted to EUR 1.8 million and compared to 2022 increased by 3 percent or EUR 46.1 thousand.
In 2023, the Luka Koper Group exceeded the planned financial indicators. Net sales were higher than planned by 8 percent or EUR 22.7 million. The revenue from storage fees mainly contributed to the higher achieved net sales which exceeded the planned amount by EUR 19 million, as the business plan forecasted a reduction of the retention time of containers due to the stabilization of the market. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were higher than planned by 76 percent or by EUR 26.4 million. In addition to the higher net sales, higher earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were positively affected by the lower cost of material, labour and depreciation and amortization, while higher cost of services resulted from an increase of port services related to the higher throughput in the commodity group of cars and costs of employment agencies. Net profit or loss of the Luka Koper Group in 2023 amounted to EUR 56.4 million and was by 75 percent or EUR 24.1 million higher than planned.
According to the plan, a 21 percent higher transshipment of the commodity group of cars (in units) was achieved), the throughput of the commodity group of containers (in TEU) lagged behind the plan by two percent. Total maritime throughput, measured in tons, was by 5 percent lower than planned quantities.
Table 1: The key performance indicators of Luka Koper, d. d., and the Luka Koper Group in 2023 in comparison with 2022
| Luka Koper, d. d. | Luka Koper Group | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Items | 2023 | 2022 | Index 2023/ 2022 |
2023 | 2022 | Index 2023/ 2022 |
| Net revenue from sale (in EUR) | 309,284,223 | 310,196,680 | 100 | 312,799,089 | 313,462,636 | 100 |
| Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) (in EUR) |
59,233,239 | 81,729,523 | 72 | 60,912,423 | 83,114,534 | 73 |
| Earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) (in EUR) |
91,496,341 | 112,529,369 | 81 | 93,731,962 | 114,602,528 | 82 |
| Net profit or loss (in EUR) | 54,450,022 | 73,266,227 | 74 | 56,445,369 | 74,159,799 | 76 |
| Added value (in EUR) | 193,214,462 | 206,107,197 | 94 | 203,608,146 | 215,843,817 | 94 |
| Investment expenditure (in EUR) | 41,259,790 | 50,157,229 | 82 | 41,543,822 | 50,784,443 | 82 |
| Maritime throughput (in tons) | 22,267,534 | 23,248,795 | 96 | 22,267,534 | 23,248,795 | 96 |
| Number of employees 1 | 1,757 | 1,638 | 107 | 1,922 | 1,801 | 107 |
| Indicators | 2023 | 2022 | Index 2023/ 2022 |
2023 | 2022 | Index 2023/ 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return on sales (ROS) | 19.2% | 26.3% | 73 | 19.5% | 26.5% | 74 |
| Return on equity (ROE) | 11.0% | 16.1% | 68 | 10.7% | 15.1% | 71 |
| Return on assets (ROA) | 7.8% | 11.6% | 67 | 7.7% | 11.1% | 69 |
| EBITDA margin | 29.6% | 36.3% | 82 | 30.0% | 36.6% | 82 |
| EBITDA margin from market activity | 30.4% | 37.1% | 82 | 30.8% | 37.4% | 82 |
| Financial liabilities /equity | 21.8% | 13.3% | 164 | 20.3% | 12.3% | 165 |
| Net financial debt /EBITDA | 0.6 | -0.05 | - | 0.3 | -0.3 | - |
| Items | 31.12.2023 | 31.12.2022 | Index 2023/ 2022 |
31.12.2023 | 31.12.2022 | Index 2023/ 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets (in EUR) | 733,439,080 | 662,680,856 | 111 | 774,052,829 | 701,154,228 | 110 |
| Equity (in EUR) | 505,347,400 | 480,225,780 | 105 | 543,052,948 | 515,732,169 | 105 |
| Financial liabilities (in EUR) | 110,134,003 | 63,801,193 | 173 | 110,018,551 | 63,680,089 | 173 |
1 Balance on the last day of the reporting period.
| Cargo groups (in tons) | 2023 | 2022 | Index 2023/2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General cargoes | 1,109,907 | 1,311,121 | 85 |
| Containers | 9,800,703 | 9,659,447 | 101 |
| Cars | 1,568,617 | 1,394,106 | 113 |
| Liquid cargoes | 4,498,697 | 4,644,337 | 97 |
| Dry and dry bulk cargoes | 5,289,610 | 6,239,783 | 85 |
| Total | 22,267,534 | 23,248,795 | 96 |
Table 3: Containers (TEU) and cars (in units) throughput in 2023 in comparison with 2022
| Cargo groups | 2023 | 2022 | Index 2023/2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Containers – TEU | 1,066,093 | 1,017,808 | 105 |
| Cars – units | 916,728 | 801,036 | 114 |
Table 4: The key performance indicators of Luka Koper, d. d., and Luka Koper Group in 2023 compared to the plan 2023
| Luka Koper, d. d. | Luka Koper Group | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Items | 2023 | Plan 2023 | Index 2023/ plan 2023 |
2023 | Plan 2023 | Index 2023/ plan 2023 |
| Net revenue from sale (in EUR) | 309,284,223 | 287,440,777 | 108 | 312,799,089 | 290,071,036 | 108 |
| Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) (in EUR) |
59,233,239 | 33,439,720 | 177 | 60,912,423 | 34,543,649 | 176 |
| Earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) (in EUR) |
91,496,341 | 66,283,553 | 138 | 93,731,962 | 68,204,522 | 137 |
| Net profit or loss (in EUR) | 54,450,022 | 31,296,435 | 174 | 56,445,369 | 32,312,492 | 175 |
| Added value (in EUR) | 193,214,462 | 171,970,438 | 112 | 203,608,146 | 181,818,611 | 112 |
| Investment expenditure (in EUR) | 41,259,790 | 57,390,573 | 72 | 41,543,822 | 58,853,168 | 71 |
| Maritime throughput (in tons) | 22,267,534 | 23,333,878 | 95 | 22,267,534 | 23,333,878 | 95 |
| Number of employees 2 | 1,757 | 1,754 | 100 | 1,922 | 1,917 | 100 |
| Indicators | 2023 | Plan 2023 | Index 2023/ plan 2023 |
2023 | Plan 2023 | Index 2023/ plan 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return on sales (ROS) | 19.2% | 11.6% | 166 | 19.5% | 11.9% | 164 |
| Return on equity (ROE) | 11.0% | 6.7% | 164 | 10.7% | 6.4% | 167 |
| Return on assets (ROA) | 7.8% | 4.7% | 166 | 7.7% | 4.6% | 167 |
| EBITDA margin | 29.6% | 23.1% | 128 | 30.0% | 23.5% | 128 |
| EBITDA margin from market activity | 30.4% | 24.1% | 126 | 30.8% | 24.6% | 125 |
| Financial liabilities /equity | 21.8% | 23.4% | 93 | 20.3% | 21.7% | 94 |
| Net financial debt /EBITDA | 0.6 | 1.4 | 43 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 30 |
| Items | 31.12.2023 | Plan 31.12.2023 |
Index 2023/ plan 2023 |
31.12.2023 | Plan 31.12.2023 |
Index 2023/ plan 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets (in EUR) | 733,439,080 | 687,353,233 | 107 | 774,052,829 | 726,942,642 | 106 |
| Equity (in EUR) | 505,347,400 | 471,426,149 | 107 | 543,052,948 | 508,896,695 | 107 |
| Financial liabilities (in EUR) | 110,134,003 | 110,317,094 | 100 | 110,018,551 | 110,291,679 | 100 |
2 Balance on the last day of the reporting period.
| Cargo groups (in tons) | 2023 | Plan 2023 | Index 2023/plan 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General cargoes | 1,109,907 | 1,379,360 | 80 |
| Containers | 9,800,703 | 10,389,533 | 94 |
| Cars | 1,568,617 | 1,327,485 | 118 |
| Liquid cargoes | 4,498,697 | 4,100,000 | 110 |
| Dry and dry bulk cargoes | 5,289,610 | 6,137,500 | 86 |
| Total | 22,267,534 | 23,333,878 | 95 |
| Cargo groups | 2023 | Plan 2023 | Index 2023/plan 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Containers – TEU | 1,066,093 | 1,089,010 | 98 |
| Cars – units | 916,728 | 760,000 | 121 |
The Luka Koper Group also used alternative measures (APMs3 Guidelines), defined by ESMA4 .
| Alternative measures | Calculations | Explanation of the selection |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) |
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) = difference between operating income and costs. |
It shows the performance (profitability) of the company's operations from the core business. |
| Earnings before interest and taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) |
Earnings before interest and taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) = Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) + amortisation. |
A measure of the company's financial performance and an approximation of the cash flow from operations. Shows the ability to cover write-downs and other non-operating expenses. |
| Added value | Added value = net revenue from sale + capitalised own products and own services + other revenue – costs of goods, material, services – other operating expenses. |
Shows the operational efficiency of the company. |
| Return on sales (ROS) | Return on sales (ROS) = Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) / net revenue from sale. |
Shows the operational efficiency of the company. |
| Return on equity (ROE) | Return on equity (ROE) = net income/ shareholder equity. |
Shows the management success in increasing the value of the company for the owners or shareholders. |
3 APMs – Alternative Performance Measures
4 ESMA - European Securities and Markets Authority
| Alternative measures | Calculations | Explanation of the selection |
|---|---|---|
| Return on assets (ROA) | Return on assets (ROA) = net income average total assets. |
Shows how a company manages its assets. |
| EBİTDA margın | EBITDA margin = Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation [EBITDA] / net revenue from sale. |
Shows the business performance and profitability of market activity in percent. It is used to compare the company performance with other companies. |
| EBITDA margin from market activity |
EBITDA margin from market activity = Earnings before interest and taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) / net revenue from sale from market activity. |
Shows the business performance and profitability of market activity un percent. |
| Net financial debt/EBITDA |
Net financial debt/EBITDA = (Financial liabilities - cash and cash equivalents) / EBITDA. |
Shows indebtedness and profitability of a company in order to assess the company's ability to settle its financial debts in the future if the company maintains the same volume of business and profit. |
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