Economy Minister Darko Horvat and Uljanik shipbuilding group chairman of the board Emil Bulic said on Friday two serious partners were interested in the troubled group and that they were conducting due diligence, with Horvat hopeful that two more partners would express interest by January 25.

Horvat said after a three-hour meeting with the management of Uljanik d.d. that he was optimistic, although he realised an official receiver was appointed to examine the situation in the 3. Maj dock and submit a report to a judge within 15 days.

A similar situation awaited the Uljanik dock on January 26, he said.

Both docks are part of the Uljanik Group.

Horvat said Italy’s Fincantieri and Croatia’s DIV, acting together, and Australia’s Scenic group, which is already building ships in Uljanik, were currently checking data on the state of affairs in the Uljanik and 3. Maj docks. He expressed hope that at least one or two concrete financial offers for a strategic partnership within the Uljanik Group will be made by January 25.

He said the group’s management, the Economy Ministry and everyone involved were trying to find a solution to prevent both 3. Maj and Uljanik from going into bankruptcy.

Horvat said a bankruptcy procedure would not mean the closure of the shipyards, adding that he did not want to talk about bankruptcy yet because the two current partners and the two others he expected to access the data room by January 18 could pay 3. Maj’s liabilities, which amount of HRK 150 million.

Asked if 3. Maj could be separated from the Uljanik Group, Horvat said both current partners were interested in the group.

He said potential partners from Ukraine had informed the Economy Ministry they were interested in both docks, and that he expected partners from China to express interest too.