by InTrieste
The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region has announced a €37 million public tender to manage seasonal passenger maritime transport for the 2026–2030 period, a move officials say will integrate sea travel into the region’s sustainable mobility network.
“This initiative aims to enhance the maritime sector as an essential part of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s public transport system, serving both residents and visitors while strengthening the connection between the coast, lagoons, and regional cycling routes,” said Regional Councillor for Infrastructure and Territory Cristina Amirante. “It’s a model of development that combines efficiency, attractiveness, and environmental protection.”
Published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the tender covers the five-year management of regional maritime passenger services, which will be awarded through an open procedure under Italy’s new public procurement code. The initiative, approved by regional resolutions 1166 and 1343 of 2025, marks a significant step in the modernization of regional maritime transport, separating it from the land-based public transport contract.
According to Amirante, the new phase of maritime connections is designed to make the sea and lagoons an integral part of regional mobility, linked to both public transport and tourism. The service is envisioned as modern, accessible, and sustainable, reinforcing the connection between communities and coastal areas.
To encourage participation, the tender is divided into two functional lots.
The first lot covers coastal maritime services and includes three lines departing from Trieste. The historic Trieste–Barcola–Grignano–Sistiana route will continue, now with additional stops at Porto Vivo and Topolini (upon request). The Trieste–Monfalcone line will be extended to include Sistiana and, for the first time, Duino. The third route will connect Trieste directly to Grado and Lignano Sabbiadoro, cutting travel time by over an hour and facilitating travel for cyclists.
The second lot focuses on lagoon services, including routes between Aquileia and Grado, Marano and Lignano, and Lignano and Grado. The latter will follow a scenic path along the Litoranea Veneta, crossing the Porto Buso channel through areas of notable natural beauty.
Schedules and routes will be coordinated to enable seamless travel—for example, passengers departing from Trieste or Lignano will be able to continue to Aquileia without long waits.
Service on the main lines will run from April 25 through the first Sunday of October, while other routes will operate from June through September. Operators will be able to propose extended service periods. Fares for residents will remain unchanged from 2025, while non-residents will be subject to tourist-rate pricing in line with European coastal destinations.
All vessels must be accessible to passengers with reduced mobility and equipped to carry bicycles, supporting integration with regional cycling routes such as the Trieste–Lignano–Venice and Alpe Adria trails.
The total contract value of €37 million is divided into €26.7 million for coastal services and €8.3 million for lagoon services. The contract will be awarded based on the most economically advantageous offer, with 85 points assigned for technical merit and 15 for price. There is also an option to extend the contract through 2031.
Bidders must submit offers by December 10, 2025, at noon, with the first public session scheduled for December 12, 2025. All tender documents are available on the eAppaltiFVG platform.
