In the premises of the Kraljevica Shipyard in bankruptcy, a resumption of production is possible with the employment of several hundred workers, stated today Minister of Economy Ivan Vrdoljak and President of the Croatian Trade Union Association Ozren Matijašević after a meeting where they discussed the restructuring and privatization of the shipyard.
According to Vrdoljak, production would be initiated after the legal resolution of granting the shipyard’s premises in concession to interested entrepreneurs. Vrdoljak did not specify which entrepreneurs are involved, but it is understood that they are two domestic entrepreneurs who would produce smaller sports and luxury vessels. There would be no difficulties with the European Commission since there would be no state guarantees for the shipyards as it would be a new, private company, and large ships would not be produced, thus not breaching the tonnage limit that Croatia agreed upon with the EC.
“It is now up to us to find a model to bring back hundreds of people to work in a place where we have unfortunately lost hundreds of jobs,” said Vrdoljak, adding that production at the Kraljevica shipyard cannot be initiated without several hundred jobs.
Ozren Matijašević stated that at the creditors’ assembly of the Kraljevica Shipyard, it was concluded that the possibility of concessioning the shipyard’s premises for economic activities should be examined and that there is concrete interest. For the city of Kraljevica, new production and employment would mean the same as keeping Brodosplit alive for Split, Matijašević said.
The meeting also addressed other shipyards – the issue of taking over 3. maj from Uljanik, the status of contracts for Brodotrogir and Brodosplit, reported Minister Vrdoljak. He announced the continuation of open communication with the unions and their regular reporting on the restructuring and privatization of the shipyards.
