Passenger traffic to remain at the current location of Split ferry port

Trucks and cargo traffic is planned to be moved to the northern port in Split sometime in the next 5 years, while passengers will still board the ferries at the same location. 

Split Port Authority plans to build a new port in the northern parts of Split. The port is planned to have 7 moors and 6 ferry ramps. The new port could easily serve car ferries, since ferry tickets can be bought online. As for the passengers, the traffic would remain at the same location, which is right next to the bus and train station in the city center.

The intent behind this project is to move the traffic of over 200.000 trucks which use Split ferry port each year. This problem is especially evident in the summer season, when huge queues happen in the port. The question now is if Jadrolinija, state-owned ferry company, has enough ferries to carry both passengers and cars in the current port, and trucks in the new port.

New port to be finished in five years

Jadrolinija has stated they are in constant communication with the Split city council. Since the plan is to finish the project in 2025, they’ve included this intent from the city in their financial plans. Jadrolinija is tracking the process of the project, and will adjust accordingly to the new plans for Split ferry ports.

The entire project of a new ferry port is significant on a country level, and part of the financing should come from the European Funds. Another question is if Jadrolinija will keep its monopole of a ferry traffic in Dalmatia, or if there will be some kind of market liberalization. Locals are also worried that all ferries would be transported to the Northern port, while current port would serve only for cruisers. This is significant because of the effect these cruisers have on the environment.

The new ferry port will be able to accommodate large ferries and catamarans (up to 200 meters of length). In special cases, it will be able to accept even boats with a length of up to 320 meters. The latest study from 2018 says that more and more people are using catamarans for transportation, as opposed to car ferries. This is probably because of the speed it takes car ferries to reach Croatian islands. Getting there with a catamaran is a much faster alternative.

Source: Slobodna Dalmacija