Luka Bar has announced a new tender valued at €363,000 including VAT aimed at repairing its passenger quay following the failure of the initial procurement effort. This initiative seeks to restore infrastructure that sustained damage during operations involving vessel activities.
The current tender focuses on the design and reconstruction of a section of Quay V, specifically Berth 54, which spans approximately 113 meters and is utilized by passenger vessels. The deadline for submitting bids is set for October 12.
The successful contractor will be allotted about one month to finalize the design and an additional four months for construction work. The quay experienced structural issues after incidents involving the Adria Ferries vessel Mia, which resulted in the displacement of fifteen large concrete blocks and erosion affecting both stone fill and asphalt surfaces.
This damage necessitates extensive repairs, as the quay’s structure must be stabilized before it can return to full operational capacity. The previous procurement was canceled when the sole bidder, Briv Construction, was disqualified due to not meeting requirements related to outstanding fiscal and concession obligations, despite offering a bid of approximately €350,900.
The re-initiated tender represents a critical but relatively small project for port operations. Luka Bar is also exploring avenues to recover costs associated with the damages through discussions with partners and insurance providers, although no definitive compensation outcome has been disclosed.
The repair holds significant commercial importance due to its impact on the port’s passenger infrastructure rather than just the contract’s monetary value. Luka Bar has been actively working to enhance maritime passenger connections with Italy and other locations in the Adriatic region after experiencing a decline in ferry services over recent years. Reliable berth infrastructure is essential for fostering growth in these services.
Passenger vessels contribute significantly to Montenegro’s tourism sector, generating additional spending beyond port fees, including expenditures on vehicles, accommodation, dining, and further transport options. This repair coincides with broader investments in Bar’s transport infrastructure, including ongoing railway reconstruction efforts between Bar and Podgorica supported by a funding package worth approximately €175 million from the EU and international financial institutions, alongside upgrades to road infrastructure.
These developments aim to enhance the port’s capacity for both freight and passenger traffic. However, maintaining operational integrity of port infrastructure remains paramount. A damaged berth can restrict operational flexibility during peak periods and pose safety risks that outweigh the relatively modest repair costs.
This tender process underscores the critical nature of contractor eligibility within public procurement frameworks. The earlier attempt did not fail due to pricing issues but rather because the only bidder was unable to meet essential fiscal criteria, leading to delays despite a commercially viable offer being on the table.
The new tender will assess whether increased competition arises among bidders. At €363,000, this contract is accessible to a broader range of domestic construction firms compared to larger motorway or railway projects; however, marine works still demand specialized technical expertise.
The design-and-build approach places responsibility for detailed engineering and reconstruction tasks on one contractor. Luka Bar has established a relatively short timeframe of four months for construction following design approval. If this procurement process encounters no further obstacles, repairs could be completed promptly.
A pending issue remains regarding accountability for the damages incurred. Should Luka Bar successfully recover some costs through insurance or other means, it would mitigate the direct financial burden on the company. Nevertheless, repairs will proceed regardless of this resolution as part of Luka Bar’s strategic priority to enhance its regional role.
While this contract represents a smaller scale compared to Montenegro’s extensive infrastructure initiatives, restoring the functionality of a damaged 113-meter berth is crucial for ensuring that infrastructure is not merely theoretical but practically available when required by incoming ships.
