Split is preparing for a major reconstruction of the St. Peter’s Pier in the city port, and the works are scheduled to begin in early October 2025 and last for two years. The project, which is expected to modernize and improve the infrastructure of one of Croatia’s key passenger ports, is also causing serious problems for small tourist shipowners.
Namely, the Croatian Association of Private Shipowners (HUPB) warns that during the works, the port of Split, which is the focal point of their business, will be closed to them, which will prevent them from docking, supplying, and embarking and disembarking guests. The association warned about this problem last year and sent a letter to the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (MMPI), emphasizing that a multi-year suspension of moorings would have serious consequences, not only on the operational business of shipowners, but also on Split’s tourist offer.
Shipowners remind that arrangements for next season have already been agreed, and most of their guests come from abroad and consider Split an unavoidable destination. Alternative berths offered by the Split Port Authority, such as the outer part of the port, are not suitable, according to shipowners, due to the height of the waterfront and other technical limitations.
At a meeting held in October 2024 with the Prefect of the Split-Dalmatia County, Blaženko Boban, the shipowners proposed several possible solutions: carrying out the reconstruction in two phases, installing pontoons as a temporary solution, securing additional berths in the Port of Split, introducing affordable berth prices on the West Coast, and arranging berths in the North Port. They also particularly emphasized the need to accelerate the works in the Port of Krilo, which would solve the issue of their berths in the long term.
Shipowners are warning that time is running out and that it is urgent to find a solution that will allow them to continue their business in the next season.
“Without the possibility of docking in Split, our sailing and offer to guests loses its meaning. Tourists expect to embark and disembark in this city, and without that, not only do we lose, but Split and the entire tourism industry,” say the HUPB.
