The Spatial Plan of Montenegro through 2040 outlines enhancements for port capacities and infrastructure related to maritime transport. This includes revitalizing the Montenegrin fleet and connecting the Port of Bar to two highways and a modernized railway. Additionally, it emphasizes the development of ports in Bar, Budva, Luštica, Porto Montenegro, Herceg Novi, Risan, and Kotor for cruise and passenger tourism, while expanding existing marinas and creating new ones along with future hotel complexes along the coast.

“As a maritime state, Montenegro should aim for a robust and competitive maritime economy during this planning period, contributing significantly to the overall economic growth with a substantial share in GDP,” the general goals for economic development until 2040 highlight, with the Port of Bar identified as a future regional port hub on the Adriatic.

The plan prominently features the “blue economy,” which encompasses all maritime-related economic activities. Last year, Montenegro joined the European Partnership for a Sustainable Blue Economy, committing to adhere to its agenda in relevant planning documents and strategies regarding marine utilization.

“The spatial plan will facilitate the balanced progression of the ‘blue economy’ by organizing activities such as tourism, fishing and mariculture, maritime traffic, regulated resource extraction, and improving waterways along with nautical and fishing infrastructure,” the document states.

The overarching goal is to elevate the maritime economy’s contribution and maritime transport, leveraging Montenegro’s strategic placement in the Mediterranean to enhance port infrastructures and revitalize the Montenegrin fleet.

Two European corridors intersect Montenegro

The document notes that approximately 75 percent of European foreign trade and 30 percent of internal trade is conducted via sea. The EU has identified four maritime transport corridors of regional importance, two of which pass through Montenegro, representing an opportunity for maritime and port activities to flourish.

The first corridor is the South-Eastern European Motorway of the Sea, linking the Adriatic Sea to the Ionian and Eastern Mediterranean, including Cyprus. The second is part of the South-West European – Western Mediterranean Motorway of the Sea, connecting Spain, France, Italy, Malta, and integrating with the South-Eastern European Motorway of the Sea, including links to the Black Sea.

Currently, the Port of Bar is designated as a medium-developed seaport without a specific cargo focus. The new Plan proposes expanding its capacities to bolster freight and passenger transport.

“We anticipate continuous growth in maritime traffic, establishing Montenegro as a maritime nation by fostering a competitive maritime economy grounded in sustainable principles. This includes developing port infrastructure connected by road and rail. Global trends in port development favor consolidating goods and passenger traffic in fewer larger ports, integrating diverse economic functions within those ports, and enhancing logistics services that connect with the hinterland on an intermodal basis,” the Plan explains.

At least a distribution center for the Balkans

The development priority for maritime transport is centered on the Port of Bar, which will soon connect to two highways—Bar – Boljare and Adriatic – Ionian—as well as the modernized railway line Bar – Belgrade, establishing a supportive infrastructural hinterland essential for fully leveraging the port’s potential and developing multimodal transport.

“To achieve this, technological upgrades of port capacities and the establishment of an international container terminal of regional significance are vital to cater to all cargo-handling units across the Balkans. The Port of Bar aims to evolve into a distribution center, focused on concentration, consolidation, coordination, and cooperation in transport. For this role, it’s essential to develop an international logistics center that functions as a transportation hub with a broad distribution, storage, and transit capability, grounded in green economy principles,” according to the Plan.

The guidelines include expanding and developing the quay at the Passenger Terminal to accommodate medium and large passenger ships and cruise vessels, along with extending the operational quay at the dry and bulk cargo terminal.

Plans also involve continuing the removal of Volujica Hill to create new areas for the Port dedicated to the transshipment and storage of dry and bulk cargo, alongside the construction of a new container terminal.

“Should the project be implemented, Montenegro could emerge as the first European port for vessels arriving from Asia, thereby enhancing cargo transport by rail and road to Central and Eastern Europe and potentially becoming the final port in Europe on the route to the Far East, also allowing the Port of Bar to advance in goods production and packaging in containers,” the Plan states.

Unburden Kotor

The Port of Kotor aims to enhance its tourism sector by increasing berth capacities and installing new buoys for mooring ships. However, due to current capacity limitations, it is suggested that cruise ships be redirected to other locations within the bay.

“In the Port of Kotor, only mooring for luxury vessels and yachts up to a maximum length of 150 m should be permitted,” the Plan indicates.

Additionally, the planning documents outline the Port of Risan as a city and nautical tourism hub.

“To advance maritime transport further, rehabilitation and equipping of the Port of Risan is essential, aimed at facilitating international traffic and supporting cruise tourism development. Construction of a connecting road to link the port with the Kotor – Risan main road is also necessary, alongside facilities and accommodations for passenger reception, including a border crossing and supporting facilities,” the Plan emphasizes.

Upgrading and modernizing the Port of Zelenika presents an alternative solution to the Port of Kotor, while promoting coastal navigation to support tourism development.

Marina expansion

The former shipyard in Bijela is envisioned as an international port catering to the construction and repair of yachts, megayachts, recreational boats, and sports vessels.

For the nautical tourism marinas in Budva, Luštica Bay, Porto Montenegro, Kumbor – Portonovi, and Lazure in Meljine, expansions are planned, as they are essential for tourism development in the upcoming planning period. New marinas will also be integrated alongside future large hotel and tourist centers along the coast.

“The evolution of nautical tourism necessitates modernizing existing facilities and planning new moorings and docks in harmony with natural conditions, respecting marine environmental protection guidelines,” the Plan states.

Ferry ports are also contemplated at Novi, Rosa, and Zelenica, with recommendations for environmentally friendly vessels, including for the operational Kamenari – Lepetani route.

Make the Bojana River navigable along its entire course

The plan envisions facilitating domestic and international passenger traffic on Lake Skadar, connecting it to the Adriatic Sea.

“In cooperation with the Republic of Albania, we should establish the conditions to link the Adriatic Sea via the Bojana River to Lake Skadar, restoring navigability along the Bojana River as it was until 1948. Upgrades and modernization of piers in Ckla, Virpazar, and Rijeka Crnojevića are required to accommodate vessels with larger capacities, adhering to current environmental standards. Rural local piers in Vranjina, Krnjice, and other locations need adaptation for local community vessels,” the document concludes.

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