ZAGREB, August 7, 2019 – Justice Minister Dražen Bošnjaković said on Tuesday that the government had shown its willingness to help the Rijeka-based 3.Maj shipyard last week when it decided to get involved in efforts to help this ailing company.
“The company’s account was blocked due to debts in the amount of more than 150 million kuna. The management has manged to resolve nearly a half of that amount, it has reached agreement with creditors to withdraw their claims. The blockade now refers to some 86 million kuna in receivables. Now it is necessary to ensure funds to deal with that amount and there are several models for that,” Bošnjaković said in an interview with the RTL commercial broadcaster.
He explained that after the government expressed its readiness to get involved in efforts to salvage the company, the dock should now agree with clients on the completion of the ships under construction.
The minister also said that it was important for the government to have options to cover the guarantees in case of their enforcement so that it would not be a burden for tax payers.
The money for that purpose could be secured through the sale of the commissioned ships, Bošnjaković added.
“It is necessary to find the best model to resolve the debts towards workers and creditors, and this is the first step paving the way for the future course which includes talks with the clients, ships’ sale and the comprehensive stabilisation as well as finding a strategic partner,” the minister said after earlier in the day, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, accompanied by a few cabinet ministers, including him, visited the dock for the talks with the management on how to help the company.
The government will do all it can to help Uljanik, however, the situation in that Pula-based shipyard is completely different, according to Bošnjaković ‘s explanation.
The clients have shown interest in the completion of the ships under construction in 3.Maj, while clients of Uljanik have cancelled all agreements, according to the minister’s explanation.
More news about Croatian shipyards can be found in the Business section.
