Delivery of Neptune Barcelona ship is a great success story of Croatian shipbuilding industry

The "Neptune Barcelona" vessel for the transport of cars and trucks, built in the Rijeka-based 3 Maj dock, was on Tuesday delivered to the Greek company Neptune Lines that has become the new owner of the ship.

The 200-metre-long vessel can transport up to 7,000 vehicles at the 13-floor garage space 58,000 square metres large.

Attending the ceremony of the takeover of the ship by its owner "Neptune Lines", Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said that the completion of the project was an indicator of Croatia's resilient industrial production and shipbuilding.

This is the outcome of the joint efforts of workers and subcontractors, the agile management of the 3.Maj shipyard and the government's contribution, he said, adding that the vessel was completed in demanding circumstances.

The premier recalled that it had been a good decision of the government to take over the ownership of the ship which had been launched in 2018, and to sell it later at a good price.

This transaction is also important for boosting the economic relations between Croatia and Greece, the premier said.

"The government has invested HRK 4.5 billion (€340 million) in the shipbuilding industry and decided to support shipbuilding, This is important for job keeping and for preserving our tradition of construction of ships. The government has made it clear that it cares for every part of Croatia, every city, county and for every economic activity, regardless of who is in power locally," he said.

The 3. Maj director, Edi Kučan, thanked the government and the PM for the support.

The director underscored that it is essential to enable the continuation of the industrial production and shipbuilding.

Addressing the press, PM Plenković recalled that three years ago agreement had been reached that his cabinet would support the 3.Maj company in its efforts to build three ships, including Neptune Barcelona, and that the agreement resulted positively financially.

This ship had been taken over by the government from the bankruptcy mass of the Pula-based Uljanik. Initially, it should have been built for the Norwegian Siem company.

The owner of the Greek company and the chairwoman of its management board, Melina Travlos, also expressed satisfaction with the cooperation in this project.

Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Islands, Ioannis Plakiotakis, said that the European shipbuilding sector was showing sings of recovery and that it was possible to build high-quality RO-RO ships and luxury cruise ships.

Text: Hina

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