Luka Bar has launched a second tender worth €363,000 including VAT for the repair of part of its passenger quay after the first procurement was cancelled, with the project aimed at restoring infrastructure damaged during vessel operations. The tender covers the design and reconstruction of part of Quay V, including Berth 54, a section of approximately 113 metres used by passenger vessels. The deadline for bids. The selected contractor will have around one month to complete the design and another four months for construction.
Damage to passenger quay
The quay was damaged during operations involving the Adria Ferries vessel Mia. Fifteen large concrete blocks shifted from the quay structure, while erosion affected the stone fill and part of the asphalt surface. The damage requires structural stabilisation before the quay can return to full use.
Luka Bar’s first procurement was cancelled after the only bidder, Briv Construction, was excluded. Its offer was worth approximately €350,900, but the company did not meet requirements related to outstanding fiscal and concession obligations. The second tender therefore restarts the repair project after the initial procedure failed because the sole bidder did not satisfy the required conditions.
Passenger connections and compensation
Luka Bar is also considering the recovery of costs associated with the damage through discussions involving partners and insurers. No final compensation outcome has been announced. The repair concerns passenger infrastructure as the port seeks to rebuild maritime passenger connections with Italy and other Adriatic destinations following years of reduced ferry activity. Reliable berth infrastructure is required for passenger services, while passenger vessels generate economic activity beyond port fees, including spending related to vehicles, accommodation, restaurants and onward transport.
Transport investments around Bar
The project comes as Montenegro continues to invest in transport connections around Bar. Railway reconstruction between Bar and Podgorica is advancing under a package worth approximately €175 million, backed by the EU and international financial institutions, while road infrastructure is also being upgraded. Those investments could strengthen Luka Bar’s position for both freight and passenger traffic, while the port’s own infrastructure must remain operational to support those connections.
Contractor requirements and repair timeline
At €363,000, the quay repair contract is relatively small compared with major motorway and railway projects and could attract a broader group of domestic construction companies. Marine works, however, require specific technical experience. The design-and-build structure assigns responsibility for detailed engineering and reconstruction to a single contractor. Luka Bar has set a four-month construction period once the design is completed.
If the procurement proceeds without another challenge, the repair could be completed within a relatively short period. Until responsibility for the damage and any potential compensation is resolved, Luka Bar is proceeding with the reconstruction of the 113-metre passenger berth.
