Small Croatian shipbuilders say - there is more work, but the problem is the supply of materials

The impact of the corona crisis was also felt by companies from the nautical sector, production and sale of ship equipment. Although demand for smaller ships has not fallen, new pandemic challenges have emerged - a shortage of raw materials and transport difficulties. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs in Istria have found ways to maintain and even improve their business. When a corona crisis is mentioned to them, entrepreneurs mostly complain. Some say - the problem creates a new opportunity. Due to the fact that the nautical fairs have been postponed, this Pula-based company that sells built-in marine engines has carried out the digitalisation of its business.

"It is a system that manages all customer bases and we have a transparent insight into sales, ie one whole sales process, from the initial inquiry to the completed sale, and so we can be efficient and productive, and participate in the digital and green transition," said marketing manager of the company for the sale of marine engines Ana Čalić in video of HRT.

And the product has to be marketed and shown. The Croatia Boat Show was scheduled for April. But due to the pandemic, it was postponed.

"We were deprived of that, even last year the Fair ended with a crown," says Marcel Brkić, the owner of a craft for the production of vessels.

Small shipbuilders, on the other hand, say - there is no drop in traffic, there is more work than ever before. But the problem is the supply of materials.

"Delivery is very difficult for us, in the last year it has started to feel very bad, there are no raw materials in Europe, you don't have items, equipment, we have been waiting for a very long time, everything has been slowed down," says Brkić.

Small shipbuilders can be helped by incentives from ministries from EU funds. But entrepreneurs point out - the amounts are too high and are not adjusted to smaller companies.

"I think it would be better if we worked on the model of agriculture and winemakers, targeted support for our industry, we should be modernized and everyone can afford a small workshop and build a new mold," says Luciano Beg, vice president of the Association of small shipbuilding HGK.

Current incentives from the Ministry of Economy are available by the end of this month. For investment in capacity expansion and for the digital and green transition, entrepreneurs can get 45 percent of the grant.

Source: https://www.hrt.hr/