Montenegro takes over Adriatic port operator Luka Budva

"The return of Luka Budva to the citizens is the first step to the full valorisation of Budva's potential in the context of sea transport," prime minister Milojko Spajic said in a statement on Wednesday, when Morsko Dobro took over the port operator.

"Only the state can fully implement large strategic projects such as the ones planned for the full valorisation of the port in Budva. The opening of international sea lines is just a beginning, and the ambitious agenda needs the full support of the state," Spajic said.

Transport minister Filip Radulovic said in the same statement that the takeover creates conditions for the planned establishment of a ferry line connecting Budva to Dubrovnik, in neighbouring Croatia.

In January, Radulovic said Montenegro plans to launch the Budva-Dubrovnik ferry line in the summer.

Earlier this week, the Montenegrin government approved a decision transferring the management of Luka Budva to Morsko Dobro from its previous manager Dukley Marina. For the purpose, the government made an estimate of the value of all temporary facilities, specialised machinery and equipment for nautical tourism at Luka Budva at 663,500 euro ($718,600), saying it will pay this amount to Dukley Marina from current budget reserves.

Once the 2024 tourism season ends, but no later than October 1, 2025, Morsko Dobro is due to refund this amount to the state budget, the government said in a separate statement earlier this week.

Under a contract signed in 2017, Dukley Marina was due to manage Luka Budva until 2027.

Budva is the biggest Adriatic resort in Montenegro. The coastal area around it, called the Budva Riviera, is a hotspot for tourists.

($ = 0.923 euro)