About us

Kotor was first mentioned as a port in historical documents in the second half of the 12th century. In mid-19th century, regular passenger traffic was carried out by steamboats between Kotor and other ports on the Adriatic.
In the capacity of the business entity “Luka” (Port) – Kotor was founded by the decision of the Kotor Municipal Assembly of 12 July 1988.

After a series of statutory organizational changes, on 12 September 2002, “Port of Kotor” was registered as a joint-stock company for services in international maritime transport.

Today, located in front of the walls of the old town, which is on the UNESCO list of cultural properties, it is one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean for both cruise ships and yachts…

Approximately 500 cruise ships with about half a million passengers and around 1,000 yachts visit the Port of Kotor every year.

Cruise ships are offered two berths in the immediate vicinity of the old town center and three anchorages in the Kotor Bay water area, while a capacity of 170 berths is provided for yachts in Kotor Marina.

History

Kotor was first mentioned as a port in historical documents in the second half of the 12th century.

In mid-19th century, regular passenger traffic was carried out by steamboats between Kotor and other ports on the Adriatic.

At the end of the 19th century, there was regular local maritime traffic in Boka Bay between Kotor and Herceg Novi.

In 1966, the construction of the Adriatic highway reduced the importance of the port of Kotor in the traffic between the ports of the eastern Adriatic.

In 1967, the last regular line between Kotor and Adriatic ports was discontinued after 75 years of regular traffic.

In early 1970s, the first nautical tourists with yachts and cruise ships started to visit the port of Kotor.

In 1979, a catastrophic earthquake caused severe damages to the port.

From 1980 to 1982, the operational quay in the port was reconstructed and extended by approx. 50 meters.

In 1984, by the decision of the Federal Executive Council, the port of Kotor was awarded the status of a port for international traffic.

In 1992, the port of Kotor was awarded the status of a permanent international border crossing point.

From 1992 to 1997, disruptions in the political and economic-financial circumstances prevented the realization of the port’s development plans. The port completes the first phase of transformation and is oriented towards nautical tourism. 

In 1997, the port reintroduced activities for both passenger and cargo ships.

In 2005, the port restarted the activities of a port specialized in nautical tourism and since then has recorded persistent growth and progress.
From the time of its foundation until April 1992, the company “Port of Kotor” managed the entire public maritime domain of the municipality of Kotor. After the Agreement with Public Enterprise for Public Maritime Domain Management of Montenegro of 10 March 1993, the “Port of Kotor” becomes the user of part of the public maritime domain, from the building of the National Coast (Muo) to the outdoor pool, with the Adriatic highway and the Kotor-Prčanj road as its boundary from the land side, and on marine side bordered by a line connecting the two mentioned points. 

“Duchess” - the first cruise ship in 2002, which had 51 voyages with 13,255 passengers and 3,216 cars operated on the Kotor-Bari-Kotor line.
In the same year, the company Costa Crociere arrived with its ship and was the first company that started sailing to Kotor.