Lošinjska Plovidba is set to switch from the primarily shipping industry history to tourism
After finalizing the liquidation of its shipping company last year, the Lošinjska Plovidba Holding plans to develop the remaining portfolio, tourism business and shipyard modernisation, while projects in preparation include building a high class hotel and megayacht marina, Poslovni Dnevnik reports on June 14, 2016.
As confirmed by Đanino Sučić, Management President, they are setting off in search of a strategic partner to realise investments roughly estimated at 70 million Euro. “It is a two part project, with one dealing with building a hotel with 250 beds and the other a megayacht marina to be built by expanding our Privlaka Marina towards the shipyard. The shipyard would eventually focus on yacht refitting, with plans for reconstruction and dry dock construction, which would ease operations technologically and significantly change the town’s scenery,” Sučić points out, adding the projects have the support of Mali Lošinj town.
The future investor will appreciate that there are no administrative barriers for the projects, as the area planning and legal property issues have been taken care of. Sučić details these plans were envisioned back in 2006, including the reconstruction of Mali Lošinj airport, owned by Lošinjska Plovidba at the time. The plans were foiled mostly by a shipping industry crisis.
Lošinjska Plovidba is still the largest individual owner of the airport with 38% share. After a planned investment in its reconstruction amounting to 30 million Euro, Jadranka hotels will become the majority owner of the airport, while all tourism businesses in Lošinj, including Lošinjska Plovidba, will have a much better framework for investments, Sučić agrees. He wished not to disclose the negotiation phase with potential investors. “As this will be our entrance into the hotel business (two camps are currently in the portfolio), we are also interested in partners in business organization and hotel management, with options still under consideration,” Sučić concludes.
