Ten companies from China, Turkey, the Netherlands and India have submitted bids for the main design and construction works on the second section of the Mateševo–Andrijevica highway.
Among the bidders are firms previously involved in the first section of the highway or other major regional infrastructure projects such as the Đurđevića Tara bridge reconstruction and the Jaz-Tivat boulevard.
The tender includes three international joint bids: a Dutch-Turkish consortium led by Ballast Nedam Infra B.V., a Turkish-Azerbaijani partnership between Cengiz and Azvirt, and a Chinese-Turkish group formed by Xingtai Road and Bridge Construction Group and Makimsan Asfalt Taahhut San.
The largest number of bids, five in total, came from Chinese companies including Sichuan Road and Bridge Corporation, China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), PowerChina, Stecol and PCCD, CC Transportation Construction Group, Capital Engineering & Research Incorporation, and a joint bid from Shandong Foreign Economic & Technical Cooperation Co and Shandong Luqiao Group.
Other single-country bids include a Turkish joint bid by Makyol and Dogus, and an Indian bid by Afcons Infrastructure Limited.
The tender was announced on February 28 on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) website, originally set to close on April 29 but extended to May 14 at bidders’ request. The project is estimated to cost between €550 and €600 million. The European Commission will provide €100 million in grants, while the EBRD will offer a €200 million concessional loan, requiring the Montenegrin government to comply with European partners’ conditions.
Monteput, the state company managing the tender, confirmed that evaluation follows EBRD rules to ensure transparency and oversight, with final approval resting with the bank. The process includes a technical evaluation phase lasting several weeks, followed by financial offer reviews. The exact contract value will be determined after these evaluations.
Notably, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), part of China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC) that built the first highway section, submitted a bid. Also included is a joint bid from Chinese companies Shandong Foreign Economic & Technical Cooperation Co and Shandong Luqiao Group, currently working on the Jaz-Tivat boulevard and the Đurđevića Tara bridge reconstruction.
The only bid partially connected to Europe is the Dutch-Turkish consortium led by Ballast Nedam Infra, known for large infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, tunnels, and ports. This consortium also includes Turkish companies Rec Uluslararas Inaat Yatirim Sanayi ve Ticaret and Onur Taahut Tasimacilik Insaat Ticaret ve Sanayi, ultimately owned by the Turkish investment firm Ronesans Holding.
