Tivat has entered another peak nautical season without effective management of its maritime space, particularly in Tivat Bay, where vessels, especially yachts, are anchoring freely in various locations. This situation is problematic for a municipality that aims to enhance its status as a premium nautical destination, as it raises concerns regarding safety, environmental protection, and potential revenue losses.
The local government has long sought to take charge of the management of nautical anchorages in the bay to safeguard the marine ecosystem and establish order in anchoring zones. In the previous year, Tivat Municipality signed an agreement with the Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management, Morsko dobro, to oversee one anchorage area. However, this agreement has yet to be implemented effectively.
The delay stems from institutional changes at the national level, with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs assuming control over anchorage management. This shift has altered the procedural framework necessary for local initiatives to proceed. Consequently, despite initial agreements and preparations, the operational model has stalled as the commercial season commenced.
This setback means Tivat has likely missed another opportunity to regulate anchoring practices that could have included charging fees and linking services to environmental protections. As a result, yachts continue to anchor without a clear system for fees or waste management expected in high-end marine destinations.
The financial implications are significant; however, the broader concern lies in the unregulated anchoring practices that threaten the marine environment essential for Boka’s nautical economy. Anchors can damage underwater meadows of Posidonia oceanica, a crucial seagrass species for biodiversity and coastal water quality. Additionally, uncontrolled anchoring heightens the risk of wastewater discharge from vessels and contributes to solid waste pollution in the sea.
This situation transcends mere fee disputes. Tivat is permitting high-value nautical traffic to utilize public maritime space without adhering to operational standards typically found in established Mediterranean destinations. These standards include designated anchorage zones, user registration processes, payment systems, waste reception services, navigation oversight, and environmental monitoring.
Hydrographic studies by Morsko dobro have identified three safe anchorage zones within Tivat Bay. The locations include an area between Sveti Marko Island and Porto Montenegro, another near Belane Cove, and a third along the eastern side of Sveti Marko Island towards Obala Đuraševića. Although an agreement was signed for one of these zones, broader administrative changes have hindered implementation.
Tivat possesses the necessary market demand and location but lacks a functional management structure. Although parts of the technical documentation have been prepared—including conceptual designs and environmental impact assessments—the execution remains unresolved.
Minister of Maritime Affairs Filip Radulović has acknowledged Montenegro’s shortcomings in establishing marked nautical anchorages, which he views as both a safety issue and a loss of potential public revenue. In contrast to neighboring Croatia, where anchoring is more systematically regulated and monetized, Montenegro allows vessels to anchor in valuable coastal areas without equivalent payment or service structures.
The ministry’s proposed strategy includes establishing formal anchorages and creating a digital platform for vessel registration and payment. This initiative aims to transform an uncontrolled seasonal issue into a managed maritime offering while generating revenue for both state and local operators while enhancing environmental protections.
Recent legislative updates classify anchorages into state, nautical, and port categories under new laws governing ports and maritime navigation safety. Nautical anchorages can be economically exploited through a system of approvals rather than traditional concessions. Operators interested in specific anchorage locations may apply to the Port Authority with their proposals while maritime safety studies have already identified sites eligible for formal registration.
If implemented promptly, this new framework could facilitate controlled economic usage without lengthy concession processes. It would also allow municipal companies or private operators to manage anchorages under defined conditions. However, success hinges on timely approval issuance, location marking, payment system implementation, and visible enforcement at sea.
Tivat’s natural partner for managing anchorage remains its local Komunalno preduzeće. Integrating anchoring management with municipal berths at Donje Seljanovo could streamline operations related to waste collection and coastal management while retaining more value within the municipality rather than allowing unregulated use.
As one of Montenegro’s key nautical tourism hubs featuring Porto Montenegro—an internationally recognized marina—Tivat faces heightened expectations from visitors arriving by yacht who contribute significantly to local infrastructure and services. However, premium nautical tourism necessitates robust governance; uncontrolled anchoring undermines this image.
The opportunity cost associated with regulated anchorages includes potential recurring revenue from vessels already utilizing Tivat Bay. While such fees may not dramatically alter public finances, they could support waste reception services and marine protection measures while reinforcing responsible use of public maritime spaces.
The environmental aspect will gain importance as Montenegro aligns with EU standards regarding waste reception from vessels and pollution control. Plans for managing liquid and solid waste must comply with European regulations moving forward.
The current scenario highlights broader weaknesses within Montenegro’s coastal management framework. Despite attracting marina investments and higher-value tourism demand, regulatory infrastructure lags behind market needs. Allowing free anchoring in sensitive waters effectively subsidizes private use of public assets while posing environmental risks.
Tivat’s lost nautical season serves as a critical reminder that effective management of anchorages is essential. With mapped locations identified and legislative changes underway, the pressing challenge remains transforming recognition into action before another season passes.
A well-functioning anchorage model in Tivat Bay would require clearly defined zones, digital registration systems, transparent pricing structures, waste-reception services, navigation enforcement measures, environmental monitoring protocols, and designated operators responsible for maintaining standards on the water. Such a system would protect Posidonia oceanica habitats while enhancing safety and generating revenue aligned with Montenegro’s premium image aspirations.
