The government’s goal is to find a viable solution for the ailing shipyards 3. Maj and Uljanik, so that both companies can function based on market economy rules, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in the northern Adriatic city of Rijeka on Thursday.

Plenkovic met in Rijeka with Uljanik’s new management and representatives of workers’ and trade unions of the 3. Maj dock.

“We understand that there are certain doubts about the purpose of Uljanik and 3. Maj and staying together (in the Uljanik Group) and there are different views regarding that situation,” Plenkovic told reporters after the meeting.

He also said that the government, namely the Economy Ministry, was conducting talks with potential partners and investors interested in the two shipyards.

“The government’s goal is to find a sustainable solution which, in the future, will enable both companies to function based on market economy rules,” Plenkovic said.

Asked if the state was considering entering the Uljanik Group for a transitional period, the PM said the government was already involved, adding that in mid-October he had received a report on the government’s exposure with regards to the 4.3 billion kuna (€579 million) in guarantees issued so far.

“No matter how you look at it, the state is involved,” Plenkovic said.

Economy Minister Darko Horvat confirmed that several investors were interested in the Uljanik Group and the 3. Maj shipyards, but declined to say who before offers were on the table.

“We are conducting intensive talks and negotiations. Four partners are very interested, both in 3. Maj alone and in the entire Uljanik Group.” Horvat told reporters.

Uljanik management board chairman Emil Bulic said “a lot of room for improving contracts and aligning our possibilities and shipowners’ needs” was found over the past ten days in talks with shipowners and workers.

“Talks are held on a daily basis. All shipowners have, because we are in a crisis, contacted state institutions together with us and the state, so shipowners say, fully supports our programme,” he said, adding that shipowners were confident about the restructuring programme.

Meanwhile, social dialogue is under way with the partners in Pula and Rijeka and some workers, also thanks to the payment of a minimum wage, have agreed to resume work in a few days, so all available resources will be used to finish the ships close to delivery, said Bulic.

Bulic said management was focused on the restructuring plan and that it was not done yet because the government expected a viable plan that was drawn up together with the Group’s strategic partner, Kermas Energija.

“We are working together to prove the viability of the programme. A lot still needs to be done because the state must bear a heavy burden,” he said.

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