Jadrolinija transports 10 million passengers in record time

by croatiaweek
September 14, 2024
in News

Jadrolinija

Jadrolinija, Croatia’s largest passenger shipping company, is celebrating a record-breaking year in 2024.

Never has the company transported over 10 million passengers and 3 million vehicles this early in the year, figures that reflect the equivalent of moving two and a half times the population of Croatia.

These impressive numbers demonstrate the growing importance of Jadrolinija’s services, especially during the peak travel season.

Each year, Jadrolinija’s fleet transports a staggering 12 million passengers and over 3.5 million vehicles.

During the height of the tourist season, the company operates more than 600 sailings daily between Croatia’s coastal cities and islands. The fleet currently consists of 59 ships, positioning Jadrolinija among the top ten global ferry operators specialising in coastal and maritime transport.

To keep up with demand and maintain its competitive edge, Jadrolinija is expanding and modernising its fleet. This year, two new fast ferries, Cvijeta and Ružica, will join the fleet, continuing the trend of upgrading the company’s vessels and enhancing the overall passenger experience.

2024 is not only a milestone year for the company due to its record-breaking numbers but also because it marks Jadrolinija’s 77th anniversary.

This historic year has seen several significant developments, including the launch of the largest ship in Jadrolinija’s history, the Dalmacija.

(Photo: Jadrolinija)

The €18 million vessel embarked on its maiden voyage from Dubrovnik to Bari on 3rd June. Originally built in 1993 in Norway, the Dalmatia underwent a major reconstruction in Finland in 2014.

It now boasts the capacity to carry 1,800 passengers and 350 vehicles, cruising at an average speed of 17 knots.

Jadrolinija also this year renamed one of its newly acquired ships to honour the late Croatian music legend Oliver Dragojević.

An initiative by the Croatian Musicians Union to name the new Jadrolinija boat after music legend Oliver Dragojević has been accepted. The new Jadrolinija ship will sail between Split and Vela luka on the island of Korčula, two places of meaning to the late great. Oliver Dragojević, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 70, was born in Vela Luka on the island of Korčula but spent a lot of his life living in Split. The newly acquired ship of Jadrolinija, previously named "Vela Luka," which joined the white fleet towards the end of 2023, has a new name - “Oliver," Jadrolinija said in a statement today. The ferry "Oliver" will operate the state ferry line Split - Vela Luka - Ubli and in its daily voyages, it will touch the birthplace of Oliver Dragojević. This poet and musician touched the whole of Croatia with his music, especially those who live by and from the sea. He was laid to rest in 2018, accompanied by a Jadrolinija catamaran, and this is a tribute befitting his legacy. “The ferry "Oliver" will join the route in due season, and we believe that apart from its maritime capabilities, which will enhance the quality of service on the route, it will fill passengers every day with pride and memories of Oliver,” Jadrolinija said.

Oliver (Photo credit:Jadrolinija)

The ship, previously known as “Vela Luka,” now proudly bears the name Oliver. It sails between Split and Vela Luka on the island of Korčula, two places closely associated with Dragojević, who was born in Vela Luka and spent much of his life in Split.

There was also target however in 2024. A tragic accident occurred on the island of Lošinj in August when the entry ramp of the ferry Lastovo fell and trapped the sailors working on the ferry. Three workers lost their lives.