FLEET RENOVATION Jadrolinija is building three electric ships

For the first time, Jadrolinija has initiated the procedure of purchasing fully electric ships that will transport passengers in the Dubrovnik, Šibenik and Lošinj areas, confirmed the President of the Management Board of the national shipping company, David Sopta. A preliminary consultation procedure has been initiated, as part of the public procurement procedure for three ships, up to 55 meters long and with a capacity of at least 370 passengers, with fully electric drive, Novi list writes.

Jadrolinija intends to finance the construction of these ships through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Fund, as has been announced on several occasions. Sopta points out that this is only the first step in the comprehensive renewal of the fleet in the coming years, by which Jadrolinija clearly shows in which direction it wants to develop the fleet, all in accordance with the guidelines of the government and the European Commission.

He adds that all planned investments will include technologies that will enable a green transition in accordance with the possibilities and specifics of individual lines and the technical and maritime conditions that each ship must meet.

– Jadrolinija continues the process of investing in the fleet with the construction of electric passenger ships. The boats will be intended for our islanders and passengers in the Dubrovnik, Šibenik area and the waters of Mali Lošinj. This is a big step for Jadrolinija towards turning to green technologies with low greenhouse gas emissions. The anniversary we are celebrating this year is proof that Jadrolinija is developing, adapting and following the trends of sustainable development, and our goal is for Jadrolinija to become a modern shipping company – said Sopta.

Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković also commented on the planned procurement of the first three electric ships.

– Jadrolinija is our national pride and it is the link without which many of our people who live on the islands or gravitate to them, could not. I am all the happier to hear that the procurement process for three new ships has been launched because, as I have said many times, the average age of Jadrolinija’s fleet is high, and its renewal must be and is the strategic goal of that company. The new ships, which are planned to be co-financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, will give them the wind in their sails, make them more competitive in their future operations, and provide much better conditions for all who use their ships. In that sense, this procurement will be a big step forward for Jadrolinija – said Butković.

The new ships will maintain lines between Dubrovnik and the surrounding islands, ie Elafiti, as well as between Šibenik and part of the surrounding islands and Mali Lošinj, Unije, Susak, Srakan and Ilovik. It will replace the already legendary ships Jadrolinija Postira, Tijat and Premuda, which are among the oldest in the national shipping fleet, some of which were built in the 1950s. As we find out, all ships will be equipped with additional classic, diesel engines, along with a system of batteries and electric motors, in case of bad weather or any other situation in which electricity for propulsion will need to be produced onboard. Under normal circumstances, the batteries of new ships will be recharged each time they dock in the port, which is why Jadrolinija has already initiated agreements with HEP and local port authorities. Ideally, depending on possible appeals in the tender procedure, ships should be launched within about two years.

source: dalmatinski portal