Montenegro’s Ministry of Public Works has awarded a contract to XEnergy, a Podgorica-based engineering company, for the design and construction of the Lovćen–Cetinje cable car project, which has an estimated value of €59.2 million. XEnergy, previously known as Novi Volvox, was selected as the most favorable bidder in the public procurement process.
The project involves creating full technical documentation and constructing an approximately 11-kilometer cable car line that will connect the Lovćen plateau with the historic capital of Cetinje. This initiative is part of a larger gondola system aimed at linking the Boka Kotorska coast with both the Lovćen mountain region and Cetinje.
XEnergy brings relevant experience to this project, having previously collaborated with Italian manufacturer Leitner on the Kotor–Lovćen cable car, which commenced operations in 2023 under a 30-year concession agreement. Notably, XEnergy was the sole bidder in this tender process.
The undertaking will engage a network of subcontractors from Montenegro and Serbia, including firms such as Briv Construction, Geonex, Studio Grad, Planplus, Geo Max Group, GP Team, Liming Projekt, ING Invest, and Belgrade-based Koto.
The tender for this project was publicly announced in November, with bids officially opened on December 31. The Ministry of Public Works then proceeded with an evaluation process. The selected contractor will operate under a “design and build” model, taking responsibility for both final project documentation and construction execution.
As per the technical specifications for the cable car system, it will feature stations and supporting infrastructure designed to transport between 100 and 800 passengers per hour. In addition to constructing the gondola infrastructure itself, XEnergy will also be tasked with designing access roads, electrical supply connections, and other necessary supporting infrastructure for both construction and operational phases.
The cable car line is set to include a mid-station at Ivanova Korita, a popular recreational area within Lovćen National Park. Upon completion, this cable car will be integral to a broader tourist corridor linking Kotor, Lovćen, and Cetinje, facilitating gondola transport from the Adriatic coast to the mountain plateau and historic royal capital.
Previous planning documents have outlined multiple sections of the entire gondola system with various terminals along its route. These terminals include Dub (near Kotor), Kuk on Lovćen, Ivanova Korita, and Cetinje—culminating in a transport corridor of approximately 15 kilometers once all phases are completed.
Local authorities have indicated that the Lovćen–Cetinje section could potentially be completed and operational by next year, contingent upon construction progress and necessary permitting procedures. This project is anticipated to enhance tourism flows between Montenegro’s coastal areas and its historic inland attractions.
Apart from serving as a transportation link, the cable car aims to become a significant tourist attraction in its own right. The panoramic gondola routes across the Lovćen mountain massif are expected to provide stunning views of Boka Kotorska bay and the Adriatic coast—an already popular draw for international tourists visiting Montenegro. The extension toward Cetinje is likely to further unify mountain tourism with cultural heritage sites and coastal tourism within a singular visitor corridor.
This investment aligns with Montenegro’s broader strategy to diversify its tourism infrastructure while increasing economic benefits from visitor flows between coastal regions and inland areas such as Lovćen and Cetinje. By enhancing accessibility and establishing a new scenic transport route across the mountain range, this project aims to boost additional tourism spending while reinforcing connections among some of Montenegro’s most significant cultural and natural landmarks.
