TUI aims to manage the new nautical bus that will connect five points in the Bay of Palma
The tour operator is competing with local company Barcos Azules to manage a maritime transport service that will be able to take cruise ship tourists to the city center by sea.
Tour operator TUI is seeking the concession for Palma's water bus service, according to ARA Baleares, and is among the candidates who have submitted proposals in the tender launched by the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB). The bidding process is in its final stages, pending award, and involves a maritime public transport service that will use the bay as a connection point between various key locations in the port and the urban coastline. The project is part of the transformation of the waterfront and the renovation of the seafront promenade, with the aim of "reducing road traffic, improving air quality, and reclaiming urban space for pedestrians and cyclists," according to the tender specifications. TUI's bid is competing with a consortium formed by Sercomisa (Trasmapi), ALSA, and Barcos Azules for this transport contract. Barcos Azules is based in the port of Sóller and has over 50 years of experience in maritime passenger transport. Founded in 1966, the company specializes in regular maritime excursions along the north coast of Mallorca, with routes such as Sóller – La Calobra, Torrent de Pareis, and Cala Tuent. Meanwhile, TUI, one of the few tourism giants that has withstood the decline of the traditional tour operator model, is well-versed in the maritime world and operates large cruise ships through its own brands such as TUI Cruises (Mein Schiff), Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (luxury and expedition cruises), and Marella Cruis. It also manages river cruises in Europe.
The water bus will operate like a city bus on the sea, taking advantage of a natural infrastructure that has been underutilized for daily transportation until now. According to APB, the initiative responds "to the need to decongest one of the city's main thoroughfares and, at the same time, strengthen the functional connection between the port and the city beyond tourism." In any case, experts believe this transport service "will have a clear tourist focus, transporting cruise passengers to and from the city center," although residents may also use it. The service will be provided through a long-term administrative concession, with a maximum duration of 15 years, and will be operated by a single concessionaire. This exclusive management will ensure coordination, operational safety, and a stable frequency in a port area with high maritime activity. Main routes and stops
The project includes three mandatory ferry routes connecting strategic points in the Port of Palma. Key stops include the Maritime Station at the West Dock, the Ponent Wharf, the Local Transit Wharf (Golondrinas area), the Royal Staircase at the Lonja Wharf, and Portitxol, weather permitting. One route will be specifically designed for cruise ship passengers, with a direct connection between the West Dock and the city center, while the others will be open to the general public: residents, port workers, and visitors. This combination will allow for the absorption of large passenger flows on peak tourist days while also providing a reliable service year-round. The ferry will operate daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with extended service until midnight on weekends. The maximum frequency will be 30 minutes, with an obligation to increase the number of vessels if demand requires it, especially at peak times or coinciding with the simultaneous arrival of cruise ships.
Sustainable Vessels and Capacity
The minimum fleet required will be four vessels, with a minimum capacity of 100 passengers per boat. The vessels will have to meet strict environmental criteria, with low-emission engines, noise reduction, and technologies geared towards decarbonization. The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is giving significant weight to proposals with electric propulsion and clean energy systems, in line with the environmental objectives of the Port of Palma. Sources close to the bidding process confirm that some of the bidders have offered vessels with exclusively electric propulsion.
Regulated prices geared towards public transport
One of the key aspects of Palma's water bus service is fare control. Although the tender specifications do not set a specific maximum price in euros, fares will not be unregulated. The concessionaire must propose prices within their bid, but these will be subject to approval by the Port Authority, which will ensure they are compatible with a public transport service and not exclusively for tourism.
The fare system must include, at a minimum, single and round-trip tickets, as well as 20- and 100-trip passes, designed to encourage regular use of the service. This approach aims for moderate and competitive prices, comparable to those of urban land transport, with the intention that the water bus be a real alternative to private vehicles and not just a one-off experience. Furthermore, the Port Authority will have to authorize any fare changes and will require detailed and periodic information on tickets sold.
A new model of port-city relationship
Beyond mobility, the promoters of Palma's water bus want it to symbolize "a paradigm shift in the relationship between the city and the port." The project aims to transform the port into an infrastructure integrated into Palma's daily life, reducing traffic congestion, improving the urban experience, and reclaiming the sea as a space for connection. With this initiative, Palma aligns itself with other European port cities that have already incorporated maritime transport into their urban networks.
