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Feasibility study for the undersea water pipeline Duboka Ljuta (HR) – Trani (IT)
This study evaluates the feasibility, financial viability, and organizational aspects of constructing an undersea water pipeline between Duboka Ljuta (Dubrovnik, Croatia) and Trani (Italy) with the aim of supplying up to 60 million m³ of drinking water annually. The document integrates a technical description, cost estimate, revenue assessment, and ROI, while paying special attention to logistical, environmental, and legal requirements.

Technical parameters
Route length: 220 km across the Adriatic Sea
Transport capacity: 60 million m³ per year (~1,900 l/s)
Pipe diameter: 800–1,000 mm, HDPE (PE100), SDR 11/17
Operating pressure: 10–16 bar
Maximum depth: up to 1,233 m (average: 800–1,200 m)
Protection: concrete anchor blocks weighing 1–5 tons every 50–100 m, burial near the coast
Access points: HDD drilling, shore facilities with inspection chambers
Monitoring: strain and temperature sensors, periodic ROV inspection
Energy: pumps to overcome losses and supply end users

Organizational, legal, and environmental framework
Permits: International coordination (bilateral HR-IT project), complex regulations, and mandatory EIA – preparation before construction start
Spatial planning: Detailed bathymetric, geological, and ecological route surveys, integration with county and national plans
Ecology: Strict monitoring due to large volume; advantage – direct route avoids islands and critical habitats
Maintenance: Planned long-term monitoring, digital surveillance, and periodic ROV inspections for damage detection and accident prevention

Technical feasibility and construction models
Materials: HDPE (PE100) pipes proven resistant to corrosion and pressure, easy for butt welding on vessel
Laying methods: S/J-type methods for deep laying, reeling for shorter sections, HDD on the shore
Stability: Anchoring every 50–100 m, ballasting as needed, burial near the coast
Energy efficiency: Calculated flow velocities (1–2 m/s), minimal energy losses due to straight route and optimized diameter
Safety requirements: Monitoring of strain, seismic resistance, and hydrodynamic stability
Logistics: Access roads on land, HDPE pipe storage, execution schedule

Conclusion
The Duboka Ljuta–Trani underwater water pipeline project with a capacity of 60 million m³/year is:

  • Technically feasible (all methodologies confirmed by practice)

  • Economically viable, with a 37% ROI over 20 years

  • Environmentally and regulatorily sustainable with mandatory EIA and monitoring

  • Organizationally challenging but feasible through quality international cooperation

The system ensures safe, reliable, and long-term supply of high-quality water from Croatia to Italy, with transparent project economics.

Summary table

Parameter Value
Length 220 km
Capacity 60 million m³/year
Pipeline diameter 800–1,000 mm
Total investment (CAPEX) €580 million
Annual OPEX €6 million
Annual revenue €48 million
Revenue over 20 years €960 million

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