This paper examines the role of sea-rail intermodality in the main Northern Adriatic gateways, focusing on the ports of Trieste, Venice, Ravenna and Koper.

By analysing traffic trends, rail connectivity, and infrastructure and digital investments, the study highlights how port competitiveness increasingly depends on the ability to efficiently integrate maritime services with inland markets. The findings show that, despite evolving market shares among ports, rail transport has become a key factor in strengthening logistics performance and consolidating cargo flows. Different models of sea-rail integration emerge across the region, all sharing the need to enhance accessibility, capacity and digitalisation in order to respond to geopolitical changes and the emergence of new international trade corridors.