The new law on regular and occasional coastal transport
Several days ago, the Government introduced a new law on regular and occasional coastal transport. According to Minister Oleg Butković, the law will contribute to the green transition the EU is requiring, with a goal to preserve the environment for a sustainable growth model.
By this law is introduced the Central information system of public liner shipping, which will enable issuing of digital tickets and real-time data transmission for statistical and supervisory needs of the Agency and other state administration bodies.
Butković adds the implementation of the law will be of great significance for the plans and analyses of the upcoming tourist season.
The law also harmonizes the procedures of public bidding for the performance of public service on lines of general economic interest as well as the performance of public transport on lines without public service obligation.
Besides that, people with disabilities and children with disabilities will get better conditions for exercising the right to preferential transport. At the same time, the law will enable better control of those who abuse such rights.
Furthermore, this law will encourage the introduction of new construction on public regular transport as well as ships powered by alternative fuels and “clean energy sources”. Butković concludes, while the law will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases from ships, it will also increase the overall quality of public transport.
Sali port on Dugi Otok closed due to construction works
The port of Sali on Dugi Otok island closed on November 15 for maritime transport due to the capital construction of the breakwater worth HRK 90 million.
Mayor Zoran Morović explains that the boat connecting the center of Dugi Otok will temporarily move to Zaglav with which the Municipality of Sali will organize and pay for the bus line maintained by Liburnija. There will be two buses, one will be in Zaglav in case of big crowds. There will be two bus stops in Sali.
Since the nautic season has lasted until recently, the construction site hasn’t been open yet. Therefore, the question arises, will the port be ready for the next tourist season?
The Director of the County Port Authority Davor Škibola could not answer the question of whether the works on the construction of the 141-meter long breakwater and the deepening of the draft must be interrupted during the three summer months. He only says this will be seen in the organization of the construction site and the dynamics of the works.
There is an obligation to complete the works by the end of 2023, which is the financial deadline for this EU project. Everything that is not completed and paid by then will go to the expense of the County Port Authority.
