NACE 50 – Water Transport | Public Tenders
NACE 50 Water transport: public contracts for ferry services, river cruises and maritime transport services. CPV codes and contracting authorities at a glance.
Definition: NACE 50 covers the transport of passengers and goods at sea, in coastal waters and on inland waterways. Public contracting authorities award ferry concessions, harbour transport contracts and maritime surveillance services — a specialised but important area in public procurement law.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 50 cover?
NACE 50 (Water transport) classifies shipping companies, ferry operators and inland navigation undertakings — relevant for the public sector primarily in connection with ferry concessions and maritime service contracts.
| Group | Title | Typical services |
|---|---|---|
| 50.1 | Sea and coastal passenger water transport | Ferries, passenger vessels, island ferries |
| 50.2 | Sea and coastal freight water transport | Sea freight, coastal freight transport |
| 50.3 | Inland passenger water transport | River and lake ferries, excursion vessels |
| 50.4 | Inland freight water transport | Inland shipping, container shipping |
Public Tenders – Water transport
Public water transport tenders concern concessions and service contracts for public service transport:
- Ferry concessions for island and coastal connections (e.g. North Sea islands, Lake Constance)
- Passenger ferry services on rivers (municipal ferries as part of local public transport)
- Excursion shipping concessions on municipal waters
- Maritime surveillance and patrol services (water police, coast guard)
- Inland shipping transport for goods of public contracting authorities (e.g. excavated material, construction materials)
- Port operating services and tug services in federal ports
Relevant CPV codes
| CPV code | Title | Field of application |
|---|---|---|
| 60600000 | Water transport services | Shipping in general |
| 60610000 | Ferry services | Ferry operation and concessions |
| 60620000 | Sea transport services | Coastal and sea shipping |
| 60650000 | Hire of water-transport vehicles with crew | Inland navigation and transport |
| 63726400 | Ship-piloting services | Ship transfer and accompaniment |
| 75241000 | Public security services | Coast guard, maritime surveillance |
Contracting authorities
- Coastal federal states and island administrations (ferry line awards)
- Municipalities on lakes and rivers (local ferries and excursion vessels)
- Port administrations (federal and regional ports, port operating companies)
- Federal authorities (federal coastal police, waterways and shipping administration)
- Transport associations (integration of ferries into local public transport)
FAQ
Does public procurement law or concession law apply to ferry concessions? Ferry connections where the operator bears the economic risk (revenues from fare receipts) are services concessions. From EUR 5,538,000 onwards, the Concessions Directive (2014/23/EU) and, in Germany, the KonzVgV apply. Where operating costs are fully reimbursed, the arrangement is a service contract.
Do ferry operators have to comply with public service obligations? Yes. Under Regulation 1370/2007, public contracting authorities may impose public service obligations on operators (timetable, tariff, access conditions) and grant corresponding compensation.
- NACE H – Transportation and storage: Parent section
- NACE 49 – Land transport: Local public transport, bus and rail
- NACE 51 – Air transport: Air passenger transport
- NACE 52 – Warehousing and support activities for transportation: Ports and logistics
Last updated: January 2026 All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.
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