Director-General of the Directorate for Maritime Transport within the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Vladan Radonjić, says for CdM, that the position of Montenegrin seafarers is much better today and that it’s becoming even better.
“We definitely won’t allow that our seafarers be excluded from the White paper of the European Commission or any other international organization”, said Radonjić.
The Decision about returning Montenegrin seafarers back on the white paper points out high-quality of Montenegrin seafarers and serves as a recommendation to the EU.
“The first state we made an agreement with was Portugal. Last month, we completed the signing process with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Around 1400 ships sail under the flag of this country. We’re currently in the procedure with the Netherlands and, hopefully, this agreement will be signed soon”, says Radonjić.
The consequence of the removal of our seafarers from the White paper of the EC was 200 jobless seafarers.
“Even graver danger would be a domino effect – in other words, if other states that aren’t EU Members looked up to the EU Member States and started denying employment to our seafarers”, said Radonjić.
In March of 2017, after radical system changes in the field of control and training supervision, education and certification of seafarers, the EC renders a decision by means of which it returns Montenegrin seafarers to the White paper of the EU.
“That created space for our seafarers to keep sailing under the flags of the EU Member States. The states keep track of our seafarers on the ships and they are satisfied with their work”, says Radonjić.
Speaking about the nautical tourism in Montenegro, Radonjić said that it had considerably gone beyond the provisions of the applicable Law on Ports.
“The cruiser ships visit us more, new ports have been constructed – marinas, and the number of vessels who see Montenegro as their home port is constantly increasing. Shipbuilding ports for the purposes of complete service of foreign and domestic yachts are being designed, Bonići Tivat and Bijela being among them”, said Radonjić.
The Law on Ports introduces a new term – “town port”, where the communal berths will be transparent.
“After the new law enters into force, every port will be obliged to make a plan and precise which part of the port will be operational shore and which one will be intended for communal and commercial berths. It is very important for the Ministry that the Plan clearly defines space of the operational shore where the embarking and disembarking take place so that this part can be free and accessible to all vessels for passengers, especially during summer season”, pointed out Radonjić.
The number of cruisers visiting Montenegro is increasing. Therefore, it is essential that we have another port that will welcome passenger ships.
Until now, ports of the nautical tourism have been recognized only as ports that receive yachts and boats. Now, the possibilities expand to other vessels. This way, the pressure on the port of Kotor will reduce.
