ACI marinas secured to 2058: €140m for 22 Croatian ports

Croatia's state-owned marina operator ACI may keep running its 22 Adriatic harbours until 2058. The government extended the concessions on 1 October 2026, according to the nine-month report ACI filed with the Zagreb Stock Exchange (ACI, Zagreb Stock Exchange); Glas Istre reports the same date. For the new term the company plans investments of 140 million euros. The decision covers about 6,000 berths in the water and on land between Umag and Dubrovnik. One change for skippers applies right away: the marina on Rab, normally open only in season, stays open after 1 November 2026.

What the government decided

The extension covers all 22 marinas. Addenda to the existing contracts are to be signed within 90 days of each decision becoming enforceable, once ACI has lodged the required guarantees. In return, the fixed concession fee rises to 1.50 euros per square metre and then increases every five years. A variable fee of 4 per cent of annual revenue comes on top. ACI calls the extension a turning point, saying the short remaining term of its contracts held back larger building projects for years. The Republic of Croatia owns 79.01 per cent of the shares.

The 140 million euros are meant mainly for renewing harbour infrastructure, safety and service, plus more capacity. The report gives no timetable per marina: when work starts depends on the contracts, project documents, permits and financing. For comparison, from January to September 2026 ACI spent 1.4 million euros on infrastructure, mostly on mooring systems in Dubrovnik, Vodice, Jezera and Umag.

The 22 ACI marinas at a glance

What it means for visitors

Anyone looking for a winter berth can choose from 18 ACI marinas that open all year. Rab now joins them: the management decided to keep the marina running after 1 November 2026, using its existing staff and equipment. Žut, Piškera and Palmižana still open only in season.

Žut, Palmižana and Milna on Brač had fewer berths in 2026, because ACI closed some for safety reasons and for work on the mooring systems. The figures show it: the Žut marina took 174,000 euros from January to September, against 517,000 euros a year earlier. If you plan a 2027 cruise through the Kornati or to the Pakleni islands, book the transit berth early through ACI Booking (website, app or reception) and keep a fallback bay in mind.

The report does not say whether the higher concession fee will change berth prices, and it gives no prices for 2027. A revised pricing policy has applied since April 2026. If you hold an annual berth, ask about planned works in your marina before you renew. More on the harbours: Vodice, Split and Croatia in winter.

The 2026 figures

From January to September 2026 ACI took 33.3 million euros, 2.4 per cent more than a year earlier. Net profit rose 24.2 per cent to 3.8 million euros (Glas Istre). Annual berths brought in more, daily berths 3.6 per cent less. Split, Umag, Opatija, Cres and Vodice grew the most. All year-round marinas and Rab fly the Blue Flag in 2026, Cres for the 27th year in a row.