<strong>RUBRIKTITEL</strong> / 53 Croatia’s „Jadrolinija“ renews its fleet and operates 34 international and domestic routes Foto: Richard Seville RoPax 1 / 09.2009
54 / MARKTBERICHT Operating 34 routes along the extensive Croatian coastline, and serving many of the countries 1000+ islands, Jadrolinija's fleet today numbers nearly 50 vessels. In recent years, the state owned company has operated an eclectic se - lection of ageing ferries, both purposebuilt and second-hand. However, since 2004 the company has been transformed and following significant investment, no less than 10 mo<strong>de</strong>rn conventional vessels have joined the domestic fleet, with a further two new builds set for <strong>de</strong>livery in 2009. Jadrolinija was foun<strong>de</strong>d in 1947, is headquartered in Rijeka und offers ferry services that form essential connections for locals, businesses and tourists alike. The com - pany's network is divi<strong>de</strong>d into sectors, consisting of the international routes to Italy, the fast coastal service and five regional domestic groupings – based around the cities of Rijeka, Sibenik, Zadar, Split and Du brovnik. Until the outbreak of civil war in the early 1990s, the company's reach was even wi<strong>de</strong>r, with ferry services to both Italy and Greece and in addition, <strong>de</strong>dicated cruising operations. Whilst some vessels had been acquired from abroad secondhand, the majority of the domestic fleet was purpose-built. A regular fleet renewal process occurred and a number of new builds joined the fleet in the 1980s. On board the “Cres“. Looking for new tonnage after the civil war After the return of peace, Jadrolinija had the tremendous challenge of pulling to - gether their fleet to return to regular service. Whilst many routes had continued during the hostilities, at least in some form, many of the company ships had been pressed into either military or humanitarian duties and some had been damaged or even <strong>de</strong>stroyed. By 1993, the company was searching the international markets to rebuild, and for the remain<strong>de</strong>r of the <strong>de</strong> ca<strong>de</strong> acquired an eclectic array of second-hand tonnage from Japan. By the late 1990s, Croatia's tourist industry was resurgent, and whilst the British market took longer to return, the German and Italian tourists floo<strong>de</strong>d back. The country's Foto: Richard Seville economy took off once again and with these <strong>de</strong>velopments, the pressure on Jadrolinija's ageing vessels began to grow. Initially, the company coped with this <strong>de</strong>mand by increasing the number of vessels on each station and simply providing additional sailings, but in the early 2000's it became clear that more significant action was required as queues continued to grow particularly during the hectic summer peak. 102 Million US-Dollar investment into new tonnage In 2002 it was announced that the com - pany was about to investing 102 million US-Dollars to replace its old vessels subject to approval from the Croatian Government. The first tangible product of this program was the position, in early 2003, of the Greek ferry “Ano Chora Express”. Dating from 2001, the 98,3 metres long vessel which has capacity for 1.000 passengers was purchased for 7,5 million Euro and, as the “Tin Ujevic”, introduced onto the Split to Stari Grad, Hvar service. Development then accelerated with the implementation of the 2004-2008 Jadro - linija Passenger Fleet Reconstruction and Development Program, which saw four new ferries commissioned from domestic shipyards in both Split and Kraljevica. The initial or<strong>de</strong>r comprised three vessels of one class with a length of 87,6 m carrying 600 passengers and 100 cars as well as one larger unit with similar dimensions but offering a capacity for 1.200 passengers and 138 cars. Both classes have service speeds of 30 knots. Two vessels were built in each yard, with Kraljevica building the lead vessel of the smaller class and the larger unit. 2004 also saw the purchase of two further hi speed passenger catamarans from Filipino owners, the “Karolina” and the “Novalija”, joining two earlier sisters which had been acquired in 2001. In 2007 the fleet had an average age of 19 years The first of the new conventional vessels, named “Sveti Krsevan”, entered service in July 2004 on the 20 minute route from Zadar to Preko on the island of Ugljan. Just days later, her sister, the “Supetar”, <strong>de</strong>buted on the route from Split to her namesake port on the island of Brac. The final ship in this class, the “Cres”, arrived the following year, initially sailing between Valbiska, Krk and Merag. All three vessels are i<strong>de</strong>ntical, featuring an open plan saloon midships above the vehicle <strong>de</strong>cks, with a central snack bar, seating fitted out in light blue and cream and external promena<strong>de</strong>s around this saloon. The larger vessel, the “Marjan” – named after a suburb of Split – also joined the Split to Supetar route in 2005. Deci<strong>de</strong>dly different in appearance to the smaller class, the “Marjan” boasts far larger passenger accommodation, essentially comprising a series of open plan saloons on On board the “Juraj Dalmatinac“. one main <strong>de</strong>ck, with a main snack bar and a full width external sun<strong>de</strong>ck on the level above. Particularly notable are the four enclosed escalators which whisk both foot and vehicle passengers up to the saloons and which are clearly visible when ob - serving the vessel. With the first wave of Foto: Richard Seville Foto: Richard Seville RoPax 1 / 09.2009
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