by InTrieste
This summer, tourists eager to sail between Trieste, Slovenia’s and Croatia’s Istrian coast, and the island of Lošinj will be left disappointed, as the anticipated maritime passenger service has been suspended. Efforts to find an operator for the seasonal route—a popular passage for travelers exploring the Adriatic—failed after a last-minute invitation tender fell short of its goal.
The collapse of this year’s service marks a setback for regional tourism and has sparked sharp criticism from local officials. The region’s attempt to address the issue through an emergency tender followed the failure of an earlier regional call to secure an operator. Despite this, no company stepped forward to manage the route, a service that had been run by Sicilian operator Liberty Lines in previous years.
For many, this failure underscores deeper issues within the region’s transportation management. Over recent weeks, political tension has risen, with opposition figures in the regional council accusing the administration of mismanagement. They argue that the delay in organizing the maritime service has undercut regional tourism at a critical time, pointing to the service’s prior success as evidence of its value. In 2019, the route served nearly 20,000 passengers—a number that reflected its importance to the local economy.
The route, which links Trieste to the ports of Piran, Poreč, Rovinj, and Mali Lošinj, was until recently a staple of the summer season. However, the collapse of this year’s service, reported by Adriaports, follows a period of uncertainty over who would manage the operation after Liberty Lines, which had provided a monohull vessel for the route, ceased to be involved.
Critics say the failure to secure a maritime operator earlier in the year highlights a lack of foresight. In response to rising public discontent, the regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia allocated 6 million euros to support the service from 2024 through 2026. This funding was expected to cover the maritime connection starting in June of this year, but logistical hurdles have persisted.
For now, tourists and locals alike will have to seek alternative travel routes along the Adriatic, as hopes for reinstating the service this summer have now faded. The lack of a maritime connection, long seen as a key link between Trieste and popular Istrian destinations, could deal a blow to regional tourism just as it was expected to rebound post-pandemic.
As the summer months pass without the familiar sight of monohulls crisscrossing the Adriatic waters, the question remains: will the region be able to restore this vital service before next season?
