Palma water bus delayed as TUI pulls out

Palma’s planned Bus Nàutic water bus is without an operator after TUI pulled out of the project on 3 August. The Balearic Ports Authority said on 24 September that it must reopen part of the process and will put a new public tender before its board in September.

The service is meant to link different points in the Port of Palma by sea. The authority sees it as an alternative to private cars for citizens, workers and port users, with the aim of easing road traffic around the harbour.

TUI had backed its own plan

TUI confirmed on 27 January 2026 that it had the staff and equipment to run the service, according to the authority. Its plan included four vessels, 10 skippers and 22 sailors.

On 30 March, the technical committee chose the offer, judging it sufficiently advantageous and economically viable. The authority said TUI later raised problems over hiring boats and putting its operating plan in place before withdrawing from the procedure.

The authority argues that these issues were part of TUI’s own business planning, rather than changes made to the tender. It said the company left while the scheme was still in its public-information stage, before the final concession terms had been issued.

Port authority plans fresh operator search

The withdrawal has wiped out months of administrative work and left the Port of Palma without its selected operator. The Balearic Ports Authority says it is now preparing a fresh tender for a new operator.

It insists the setback will delay, not end, the Bus Nàutic project. The water bus remains part of its plan to use the sea as a transport route within Palma’s harbour.

Palma water bus: TUI exit forces new tender

TUI had backed its own plan

Port authority plans fresh operator search