In a blow to summer travel plans across the Adriatic, Montenegro’s Barska Plovidba has suspended its Bar–Bari ferry service due to a critical malfunction aboard the vessel Bartol Kašić.
The company confirmed cancellations for 9, 15, and 16 July, with all Dubrovnik–Bari crossings also halted until at least 17 July.
The move affects the L55 and L54 lines, popular with both tourists and locals relying on maritime links to southern Italy.
Passengers holding tickets for the cancelled departures will receive full refunds through their original booking agencies.
Barska Plovidba offered an apology for the disruption, citing “extraordinary circumstances” as the cause.
The temporary suspension underscores the fragile state of regional ferry infrastructure at the peak of tourist season, raising concerns about contingency measures and long-term investment in Adriatic maritime transport.