These are flags that are allowed to sail under significantly different conditions and include a smaller number of crew and lower safety standards, said Marija Zaputinović, Jadrolinija spokesperson
The liberalisation of ship transport and potential for foreign ship operators to compete in concession tenders in coastal passenger transport means from next year in Croatian ports we may see companies with flags of convenience in the European Union. These are ship operators registered in Malta and Cyprus, who may compete with Jadrolinija and other Croatian ship companies on equal terms and apply to the tenders issued by the Agency for Coastal Line Sea Traffic, Pomorac.hr reported on October 12, 2016.
“We are satisfied with the current situation, the number of lines and their frequency. There won’t be any lines cancelled as they have proved to be necessary for our island inhabitants. Regarding the situation of arrival of foreign ship operators to our market, I am aware that some of the conditions they need to fulfil will benefit our seamen as the captain and his assistants will need to speak Croatian, so there will surely be more jobs for Croatians,” said Denis Barić, president of the Island Sabor. What often limits island inhabitants in their mobility is the connections of islands, as Barić claims Silba and Olib should be connected with island of the Primorsko-Goranska County to which they gravitate. The new sailing schedule is due to be published by the Agency for Coastal Line Sea Traffic by the end of October.
“We can say 2017 will see a “relaxation” of rules on the Adriatic and ship operators with flags of convenience in the European Union, such as Cyprus and Malta, will be able to apply for concessions. These are flags that are allowed to sail under significantly different conditions and include, for example, a smaller number of crew and lower safety standards. It is known Croatian maritime authorities demand the highest standards, to which Jadrolinija conforms completely on all fleet ships. But, at the same time we cannot ignore the fact the Adriatic will see ship operators under flags of convenience with significantly lower safety standards,” said Marija Zaputinović, Jadrolinija spokesperson.
