The largest chain of marinas in the Mediterranean has officially started the realization of the construction of a marina that will completely change the vision of the city of Rijeka and the tourist offer of the entire Kvarner

On Wednesday, June 7, the implementation of the largest nautical project in the history of the Republic of Croatia officially began on the premises of the future ACI Marina Rijeka in the port of Porto Baroš. As part of the Fiumanka week, the Concession Agreement for the construction of a nautical tourism port was officially handed over to the company ACI-GITONE. The construction of ACI Marina Rijeka will be achieved through the cooperation of two regional leaders – ACI d.d., the largest chain of marinas in the Mediterranean, and the company GITONE Kvarner d.o.o., one of the most eminent domestic actors in the field of tourist and hotel services. The concession for the maritime asset of almost 106 thousand square meters was awarded to the company ACI-GITONE for 30 years, and this capital strategic project will result in the most luxurious and technologically advanced marina in the Adriatic, but also in the entire Mediterranean.

The cooperation of two regional leaders will give birth to a marina that has not yet been seen in these areas – and potentially not even in the world

During the handing over of the contract to the concessionaire, the company ACI-GITONE, the future ACI Marina Rijeka opened its doors to the citizens of Rijeka for the first time. With a multitude of contents and around 230 berths, the future ACI marina Rijeka will completely change the vision of the city of Rijeka and the tourist offer of the entire Kvarner, and more than 130 new jobs are planned in the first phase of operation. The area of Porto Baroš, which was previously inaccessible to citizens, will provide visitors with a new promenade, restaurants, shops and many other facilities that will enrich the social life of the city of Rijeka. In addition to boaters, the new marina will be open at all times for the citizens of Rijeka and their guests. The construction of ACI Marina Rijeka will completely change the entire image of the city of Rijeka, which will transform from a transit port into an elite nautical destination specialized in mega yachts and luxury tourism.
“Today is one of the key dates in the 40-year history of ACI d.d. and it proves that we are guided by the motto Actions, not words. The construction of the ACI Marina Rijeka in the port of Porto Baroš represents a turning point in the nautical tourism sector of the Republic of Croatia, but also of the whole of Europe, especially the Mediterranean. ACI marinas are synonymous with excellence and safety, and with the construction of a new marina in Rijeka, I believe we will justify the aforementioned epithets”, emphasized Kristijan Pavić, President of the ACI Management Board.

Member of the ACI Management Board for Investments, Marketing and Retail ACI d.d., Josip Ostrogović, added that the citizens are one of the key reasons for starting the construction of this project: “Our goal is to provide, not only a safe and comfortable port for vessels, but also a top experience for all our guests, but also the citizens who I invite to come and see the space of the future ACI Marina Rijeka and thus the new city center. Welcome to the future of the city of Rijeka!”
“Cooperation between the companies ACI d.d. and GITONE Kvarner d.o.o. it allowed us to pool knowledge, experience and resources to create this impressive marina. I believe that ACI Marina Rijeka will be a new attraction on the nautical map of Croatia, but also of the entire Mediterranean, which will attract many lovers of the sea and sailing, as well as maritime activities. I am grateful for the opportunity to completely change the look of our city, but also to improve the quality of life of our citizens with our contribution, who will get a new city center open to everyone in a previously inaccessible area”, said Anđelko Petrinić, member of the Management Board, ACI-GITONE d.o.o.

The construction of ACI Marina Rijeka as the leader of the entire cycle of investments in the Kvarner area

The ceremony and tour of the future ACI Marina Rijeka was attended by Oleg Butković, Vice-President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Marina Medarić, Deputy Prefect of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Marko Filipović, Mayor of the City of Rijeka, Anđelko Petrinić, Member of the Board of ACI-GITONE d.o.o., Johannes Böck, member of the Management Board of GITONE Kvarner d.o.o. and ACI-GITONE d.o.o., Kristijan Pavić, President of the Management Board of ACI d.d., Ph.D. Ivan Herak, member of the Management Board of ACI d.d., Josip Ostrogović, member of the Management Board of ACI d.d., Ana Odak, member of the Management Board of GITONE Kvarner d.o.o., Teuta Duletić, executive director of Lürssen Design Center Kvarner, Denis Vukorepa, director of the Rijeka Port Authority and Darko Glažar, captain of the Port Authority of Rijeka .
“Of all the projects that we are currently realizing in Rijeka, from the Zagreb coast and the road that we will open this summer, the D403, the ACI marina project in Porto Baroš is still the icing on the cake of this entire cycle of investments in the city area. With the construction of the new ACI marina Rijeka, this central part of the city will become enticing, attractive and will really change Rijeka in the right direction. The ACI Marina Rijeka construction project is changing the vision of Rijeka, returning Rijeka to the sea. This marina has been announced for a long time, it has already passed all the procedures, and it is extremely important to emphasize that it has support of all stakeholders important for the realization of the project itself – the City of Rijeka, the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and the Government of the Republic of Croatia”, said Oleg Butković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure.

Video: Antonio Batini / MCOE

Photos: Vedran Karuza / NOVI LIST

Renders: Ira Rechner Šustar / Studio Rechner