It's important to continue with the activities that made it possible to revive 3. Maj

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic visited the Scenic Eclipse luxury polar cruise ship in Rijeka on Thursday, saying it was the kind of ship Croatia wanted to build and that it was important to continue with activities that made it possible to revive Rijeka's 3. Maj dock.

The Scenic Eclipse was built in Pula's Uljanik shipyard last year for Australia's Scenic Group. It has been anchored in the Rijeka port since the beginning of this month, where it will stay until the end of the year for the COVID-19 pandemic to calm down and for conditions to allow new cruises.

Plenkovic said the idea was to make new investments, this time in 3. Maj, and for this dock to build ships like the Scenic Eclipse in the future.

We have taken the first steps and it's important to continue with the activities that made it possible to revive 3. Maj, he added.

The dock has started building another polar liner for the Scenic Group and there are plans to build another four.

The Scenic Group's intentions remain very firm and we are looking for a solution for these processes to continue, the prime minister, adding that guarantees for building the polar liners were "in the process."

Asked what he would talk about with Uljanik unionists who were on the Scenic Eclipse, he said the government paid HRK 4.5 billion in guarantees for that shipyard and that it would look for a solution to keep part of its business, given that many of its workers had contributed to the building of this ship which, he added, was completed also thanks to the "incredible personal engagement of the client."

"It was fascinating to see how such a ship came out of Uljanik in such difficult circumstances, which is a recognition to everyone," Plenkovic said, adding that solutions would be sought to enable shipbuilding to survive in Croatia.

The Scenic Eclipse was delivered in July 2019 despite the shipyard's difficulties and eventual bankruptcy. It is 168 metres long and 21.5 metres wide, and can accommodate 220 passengers.

Text: Hina



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