Zagreb - The parliamentary Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure Committee rejected by a majority vote on Thursday a proposal by opposition MPs which called for the relevant ministry to provide a report within a month on the state of the Jadrolinija shipping company.
The proposal was filed by MPs from the Independent North Platform, the Social Democratic Party, and the Istrian Democratic Party.
Today's committee session was prompted by several incidents involving Jadrolinija, including a tragic event in Mali Lošinj in which three seafarers were killed when the ramp on Jadrolinija's Lastovo ferry fell on them.
Ivana Marković of the SDP said they wanted the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure to provide data on the condition and maintenance of Jadrolinija’s fleet over the past five years, the management of safety and occupational protection systems, and the procurement of used vessels. They also called for the State Audit Office to audit Jadrolinija.
Instead, the committee adopted the conclusions proposed by the ruling HDZ, which say that all shipping companies in the country, including Jadrolinija, the largest national shipping company, continuously operate maritime transport services and fulfill obligations under contracts with the Coastal Maritime Transport Agency.
The committee believes that conditions for all sailors in national navigation have significantly improved and supports investments in renewing Jadrolinija’s fleet. It also expressed regret over the Lastovo ferry accident and called for a swift and objective investigation, along with the proposal of specific measures to prevent such accidents in the future.
Jadrolinija CEO: Fleet is safe and well-maintained
During the session, Jadrolinija's CEO David Sopta said this year has seen a record season for the company, and that despite the unprecedented tragedy in Mali Lošinj, employees, particularly sailors, continue to perform their duties professionally, conscientiously, and responsibly.
He said 98% of scheduled trips were completed this year, with only 0.12% canceled due to technical issues and 1.8% due to adverse weather conditions. "Our fleet is safe, and our fleet is well-maintained."
During the debate, HDZ members of the Committee said the session was forced, premature, and unprepared. MP Josip Ostrogović argued that it was impossible to discuss Jadrolinija’s condition and safety without the results of the investigation into the Mali Lošinj tragedy.
Arsen Bauk of the SDP denied claims of politicisation. "The moment the government decided to appoint three members of the ruling party to the management of a state company, politicisation began."
Diverging opinions among seafarers’ unions on state of Jadrolinija
The session was attended by three representatives from seafarers' unions.
Nediljko Bulić of the Independent Union of Passenger Ship Seafarers, which represents Jadrolinija’s workforce, called for a swift and independent investigation into the Mali Lošinj accident. He noted that Jadrolinija has experienced sailors but needs investment. "The ships are old, and we all know they should be better, but responsibility lies with all past policies."
Members of non-representative unions - Neven Melvan, secretary-general of the Croatian Seafarers' Union, and Ivan Srzentić, president of the Croatian Professional Seafarers' Union - warned that Jadrolinija’s safety management system is dysfunctional and entirely neglected.
"The CEO is solely responsible for this," Melvan said, while Srzentić pointed out that Jadrolinija still operates five ships that are over 30 years old and pose a danger to both passengers and crew.
Speaking to the press after the committee session, Sopta maintained that Jadrolinija’s safety system is functioning.