Over 10,000 vessels will be struck from the Croatian registry of boats due to the failure of their owners to pay the navigation safety fee in 2019 and 2020, the Vecernji List daily reported on Wednesday.

In late 2020, the Ministry of the Sea and Transport “started bringing order to the registry, and so far 21,814 vessels have been removed from the registration list, ” state agency Hina reported, quoting Vecernji List, which cited figures given to them by the ministry.

In October, the ministry will issue decisions on the removal of an additional 10,000 from the registry after it was established that until 15 August this year their owners had failed to pay the navigation safety fee for 2019 and 2020. The navigation safety fees in arrears for 2019 and 2020 exceed 5 million kuna (€666,000).

This national registry covers all boats and ships sailing under the Croatian flag.

Notices of possible removal from the registry will be also forwarded to all port authorities in Croatia and marinas’ concession holders, Hina said.