Introducing a New Ferry Service: Connecting Trieste, Italy with Croatia and Slovenia

In the summer of 2025, a new seasonal ferry service will connect Port Trieste (Italy) with key destinations in Croatia, significantly enhancing maritime connectivity across the Adriatic. This initiative aims to bolster transport links and provide convenient travel options for both tourists and residents, highlighting the region’s commitment to facilitating seamless travel between popular locations.

The ferry service will also make a stop in Piran (Slovenia) and will commence and conclude its journey in Trieste, with additional stops at Porec, Rovinj, and Mali Losinj in Croatia. The proposed schedule includes two weekly departures for each of the four routes: Trieste–Piran–Porec–Rovinj, Trieste–Rovinj–Mali Losinj, Trieste–Porec–Piran, and Trieste–Piran–Rovinj.

Operations will run from June 26th to early September, beginning with an initial contract that covers three summer seasons from 2025 to 2027, with an option for renewal in 2028.

The Italian government is backing this project financially, aiming to revive maritime links between Trieste and Istria, a tradition that dates back to 1963. The original connections began with the motor vessel Edra, which served all significant towns along Istria’s western coast. Although the service evolved and continued until the early 1990s, the last regular ferry, Dionea, ceased operations in 1990.

This new ferry service not only pays homage to the region’s maritime history but also offers a modern solution to improve accessibility among Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia, providing a valuable opportunity for cultural exchange and tourism.

In 2023, Croatia experienced approximately 19.5 million tourist arrivals, a 9.7% increase from the previous year. Notably, Zagreb was the most visited city, attracting over 1.3 million tourists, while Rovinj was the top destination in Istria. These statistics illustrate Croatia’s growing appeal as a leading travel destination in the Adriatic.

Italy also reported about 57.3 million international tourist arrivals in 2023, maintaining its status as the fourth most visited country globally. The tourism sector significantly contributed to Italy’s economy, accounting for 10.5% of its GDP.

By December 6th, 2024, Italy’s tourism figures were projected to reach 62.2 million arrivals, reflecting a robust recovery from the pandemic and a return to pre-COVID levels. This growth reinforces Italy’s enduring allure as a global travel destination known for its cultural, historical, and natural treasures.

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