Jadrolinija prepares fleet for season and plans up to 20 new ships

Jadrolinija ferry

Croatia’s national ferry operator, Jadrolinija, has completed the overhaul of its entire fleet ahead of the upcoming tourist season and announced plans for a major fleet modernisation programme in the coming years.

The company confirmed that all 58 vessels in its fleet will be ready for service by 1 April, marking the start of the busy maritime season along the Adriatic coast, HRT reported.

However, with the average age of the fleet currently around 28 years, the state-owned operator is preparing significant investment into new vessels and greener technology.

New ship planned for Elaphiti Islands

As part of its renewal strategy, Jadrolinija has launched a tender for the construction of a new passenger vessel intended to serve the Elaphiti Islands, which will replace the current ship “Nove Postire.”

The company is also seeking a contractor to carry out servicing and maintenance for its entire fleet.

According to Jadrolinija CEO Robert Blažinović, access to shipyards equipped with dry docks will be crucial for the company’s long-term maintenance and upgrade plans.

He noted that dry dock facilities are essential for shipyards involved in overhaul work and expects the maintenance market to reach a higher level as demand grows.

Shift towards greener vessels

Fleet modernisation has become increasingly urgent as new environmental regulations approach. From 2030, shipping operators face potential penalties related to greenhouse gas emissions if vessels do not meet stricter standards.

To address this, Jadrolinija plans to prioritise the construction of three electric passenger ships. These vessels would operate on routes where ports are equipped with charging infrastructure.

Experts from Croatia’s maritime engineering sector say the country’s shipyards are well positioned to build customised vessels tailored to the operator’s needs.

Neven Hadžić of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture highlighted that Croatian shipbuilders traditionally specialise in building ships to order, allowing operators to influence design, onboard systems and vessel functionality.

€260 million World Bank-backed investment

A key part of Jadrolinija’s modernisation programme will be financed through a €260 million loan from the World Bank, expected to be finalised by the end of the year.

The investment could fund the construction of between 10 and 20 new vessels over the next decade.

The first ships built under the programme are expected to enter the fleet by the end of 2027, with the full renewal plan scheduled to run until 2031.

Boost for Croatian shipyards

Domestic shipbuilders have welcomed the announcement, seeing the investment as a positive signal for the industry.

Roko Vuletić, head of Iskra Shipyard Šibenik, said the move reflects a broader shift toward alternative fuels and technologies that will help meet Europe’s carbon reduction targets.

Jadrolinija currently operates around 40 ferry routes and holds approximately 85% of Croatia’s coastal passenger transport market.

But competition is intensifying, particularly in the fast ferry segment, making fleet investment increasingly important for maintaining its position in the evolving Adriatic maritime market.