by InTrieste
The regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia has awarded a new, multi-year contract for its seasonal public maritime transport services, marking a shift toward a more integrated and long-term approach to coastal mobility along Adriatic shoreline.
The tender, finalized on December 30, 2025, covers the 2026–2030 period and represents a total investment of approximately €37 million. For the first time, seasonal maritime routes have been consolidated into a single, pluriennial framework, replacing a system previously managed through fragmented, short-term contracts.
Regional officials say the new structure is intended to improve reliability, enable long-range planning, and introduce long-awaited connections. Among the most significant changes are the activation of a new landing point at Duino and the launch of a direct Trieste–Grado–Lignano service, eliminating the need for transfers and significantly reducing travel times along the coast.
Under the new configuration, Trieste and Lignano will be connected in under two and a half hours by sea, offering an alternative to road travel during peak tourist seasons. The service is designed to be fully accessible for passengers with reduced mobility and integrated with the region’s cycling network, including the Trieste–Lignano–Venice route and the Alpe Adria cycle path.
Fares for residents will remain unchanged from 2025 levels, while differentiated pricing will be introduced for non-residents, in line with practices adopted by major European tourist destinations.
The tender was divided into two lots. The first, covering coastal maritime services — including the Trieste–Barcola–Grignano–Sistiana line, the Trieste–Sistiana–Duino–Monfalcone route, and the new Trieste–Grado–Lignano connection — was awarded to Delfino Verde Navigazione S.r.l., a Trieste-based operator. The second lot, focused on lagoon services along the Aquileia–Grado, Marano–Lignano, and Lignano–Grado routes, was assigned to a consortium formed by the companies Saturno and Santa Maria S.a.S.
The coastal services will also include new on-request stops at Porto Vivo and Topolini, reflecting feedback from regular users, and extended routes to Duino and Sistiana. Lagoon routes will emphasize coordination between lines and navigation through environmentally sensitive areas, including the Lignano–Grado crossing via Porto Buso.
For the 2026 season, services are scheduled to operate as follows:
– Trieste–Porto Vivo–Barcola–Cedas/Topolini–Grignano–Sistiana, from April 25 to October 4;
– Trieste–Sistiana–Duino–Monfalcone, from June 7 to September 20;
– Trieste–Grado–Lignano, from April 25 to October 4;
– Grado–Aquileia, Lignano–Marano, and Lignano–Grado, from May 31 to September 20.
Additional operating days have been included based on improved offers submitted during the tender process.
