Only one bidder, Liebherr from Rostock, Germany, has been reported for the tender regarding the procurement of the third mobile crane at the port.

The director of Montenegro’s largest shopping port, Ilija Pjesčić, expressed hope that the port of Bar will receive the third crane by the end of July next year. He also anticipates that Hamburg Port Consulting will finalize its detailed analysis of the Adria port company by the first half of February next year, which will inform the decision on the purchase, as reported by RTCG.

“The Luka Bar has adhered to all prescribed procedures, and the significant material damage caused during the storm in early July this year is not attributed to human error,” stated the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Bar (ODT).

The storm on July 2, 2024, severely damaged two metal overall bridges in the port of Bar. Since then, investigations have been conducted to determine if the substantial material damage, estimated at around 35 million euros, was due to human factors.

“What’s important is that we approached the engineering profession, engaged in work processes, and provided all necessary documentation, adhering to procedures established over many years at the port of Luka Bar. Based on this, and following an examination of the buildings involved in the collapse, it was concluded that the protocols were followed, and there was no human error,” said a representative from the calm sea show.

Pjesčić mentioned that the port management should at least update the procedures and response plans for natural disasters, as the storm in July, which had previously been unrecorded in Bar, may recur.

“On that day, the winds at the port reached speeds of over 200-208 kilometers per hour, which has never been recorded before in Bar. Meteorological measurements have not exceeded 150 kilometers per hour, indicating that we need a strategy moving forward. Should such a storm occur again, we must implement stronger measures for the protection of the mobile cranes. Fortunately, there wasn’t significant damage to the cranes that day,” he noted.

In place of the weather-damaged bridges that were destroyed five months ago by hurricane-force winds, the port of Bar intends to purchase a modern third mobile crane. The tender process has been initiated.

“For this tender, we have a single bidder, Liebherr from Rostock, Germany. This brand is one of the strongest globally. We already operate two Liebherr cranes that perform excellently. We have successfully completed various projects, including managing a contract to import about 60,000 tons of coal for a company from Bosnia. Our two cranes have efficiently met the challenges,” added Pjesčić.

He anticipates that the port will possess the third mobile crane by late July 2025.

“The capacity of the new mobile crane will effectively replace the two-and-a-half overhead bridge cranes we had, which were over 50 years old. Although we extended their operational life with maintenance, they were overdue for replacement.” he stated.

The port of Bar’s director is also awaiting the results from Hamburg Port Consulting, expected in the first half of February next year, which will offer a detailed analysis of the Adria port company. This report will clarify the benefits of reintegrating the former container terminals with the port of Bar for the state.

“An integrated port area, alongside the full optimization of the railway, is essential for adequately positioning the port of Bar regionally,” Pjesčić concluded.