Ferry News Archive
Croatia urged to reform ferries
Date: 20 Aug 2007 00:00 Source: Lloyds ListAS Croatia prepares to enter the European Union, strategic reforms and structural change are necessary if the country’s ferry operators are to compete effectively, writes Sandra Speares.
In a paper presented in the Maritime Policy and Management journal, Heidi Cottam, Michael Roe and Jonathan Challacombe of Plymouth University’s centre of international shipping and logistics say that Croatian fleets are suffering from “obsolete vessels with inferior technology, operating regional networks with point-to-point routings instead of global service activity”.
According to the paper, EU enlargement “has changed the meaning of the Adriatic as a traffic corridor for tourism.
“Today, Croatian maritime transport systems must be considered in relation to the interconnectivity of regional transit networks.”
The paper urges Croatia to seek to improve the standard of passenger transport to that of the Single European Transport Policy.
The paper also advocates a return to the cruise industry by Croatian shipping companies, initially by means of state concessions, but in the longer term through private funding and financing initiatives.
The authors suggest that “Croatian operators should develop a modest fleet of contemporary cruise liners on the Adriatic, to niche markets that are not in direct competition with the leading operators”.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development agreed a €26.5m ($35.5m) loan to modernise the port of Dubrovnik at the beginning of 2005, to ensure that the port would be able to accommodate three 300 m ships at one time, although the authors say that more investment is needed to improve Croatia’s traffic network.
While Croatia has the chance to move back into the international cruise market, the paper says, capital remains in short supply, as is the case with the short sea ferry fleet where investment has been limited.
It recommends that short sea ferries “should now be directed towards the international cross-trades with increased emphasis on geographical and product niches”.
Government support, the paper says, will be needed to “overcome the conflict between the interests of the shipping and tourism industries and that of the national citizen”.
If you are interesting in travelling to Croatia by ferry, please visit our Ferries to Croatia page.
More Ferry News from directferries.co.uk
Date: 18 May 2012 Source: Brittany Ferries
Travel to France this Summer with Brittany Ferries by car with an additional passenger from just £175 return or from £87.50 return if you travel by motorbike (rider and pillion).
Date: 14 May 2012 Source: Grandi Navi Veloci
Italian ferry giant Grandi Navi Veloci have opened 2 new services connecting France with Morocco.
Date: 08 May 2012 Source: Brittany Ferries
Spend up to 2 days in France from just £99 return when you travel with Brittany Ferries by car and take an additional passenger or from £49.50 if you travel by motorbike (rider and pillion).
Date: 05 May 2012 Source: Corsica Sardinia Ferries
If you're planning on travelling to Corsica, Sardinia or Elba this Summer with Corsica Sardinia Ferries then take a look at our new ship guides and find out what it's like onboard before you travel!
Date: 01 May 2012 Source: DFDS Seaways
Take your car by ferry to France with DFDS Seaways from Dover to Dunkirk or Calais from just £19 return.
Date: 01 May 2012 Source: P&O Ferries
Spend up to 5 days abroad and pay just £49 return when you travel from Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries.
Date: 30 April 2012 Source: Toremar
Italian ferry operator Toremar is now available to be booked online across the direct ferries network.
Date: 25 April 2012 Source: P&O Irish Sea
Take your car on the ferry between Scotland and Northern Ireland with P&O Ferries and take a second passenger for FREE – a saving of up to £50 on a return crossing!
Date: 18 April 2012 Source: Stena Line
Take your car on any ferry to Northern Ireland or Ireland with Stena Line and take a second passenger for FREE – a saving of up to £50 on a return crossing!
Date: 16 April 2012 Source: Irish Ferries
You can now save up to 30% when you take the ferry to Ireland between Monday and Thursday in April and May with Irish Ferries.