A reduction of ferry and catamaran lines to islands coming in 2021?

Croatian Prime Minister has signed an amendment to the decision about which ferry and catamaran lines will be operating in 2021. This decision directly affects all citizens living on Croatian islands, as well as others which are dependent on the ferry routes to the islands.

“The Coastal Shipping Agency can, during the duration of the pandemic, approve the request from ferry companies to change the number of ferry routes enacted in the first item of this decision, only if that request reflects the real need to expand the number of ferries. This decision also has to be agreed with the local authorities”, says in the statement. 

“The decision about Croatian state ferry lines was brought on 22nd December 2016, and is one of the basic documents of the law for regular and occasional maritime transport. It is also a basis for long-term plans of connecting Croatian island with the mainland, in addition to financing non-profitable routes, since regular maritime transport is one of the most important public service interests. This amendment is affecting 54 state ferry lines.”

Ferry lines are operated by 14 ferry companies with a fleet of 82 ferries. The largest one is state-owned Jadrolinija, which services 35 lines (24 ferry lines, 8 catamaran lines and 4 boat lines). The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected ferry business too. The companies are recording a significant decrease in traffic and revenue. This was seen already  in the first quarter of 2020. After the end of summer season, the losses even increased.

The financing for the aforementioned 54 ferry lines will be given by the Government and the Coastal Shipping Agency. The financing is predicted to be about 327 million Kunas for 2021.

Source: Morski.hr