In the former shipyard in Bijela, the Adriatic 42 project was officially opened and work began on a unique facility for the repair and maintenance of mega yachts.
The President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, said that, with the Adriatic 42, Montenegro will present itself to the world through a well-rounded offer of nautical tourism.
– Adriatic 42 will offer yacht owners and their crews, in addition to moorings, quality repairs, which relieves them of the obligation to temporarily move from Montenegrin marinas every year. All this, like a reprolan, has already been completed in our country, which, so to speak, did not have any serious marine capacities until yesterday. And that contributes to the perception of Montenegro as a new tourist destination in the Mediterranean and in Europe. The development of the project is planned to create hundreds of jobs. In addition to those in the shipyard itself, opportunities will also be created for the additional engagement of numerous small companies that provide specialist services, which represents a great opportunity not only for the present, but also for future generations – said Đukanović, Media Bureau reports .
Board member and executive director of The Investment Corporation of Dubai Muhamed Al Shaibani said that they are proud that the joint investment of their operating business in Montenegro, PM Holdings LLC and the leader in the maritime industry DryDocks World, is realized through the opening of the Adriatic 42 project.
– Together, we shared a long-standing ambition to reactivate the former Montenegrin shipyard Bijela in the Bay of Kotor, and the Adriatic 42 overhaul and repair project, with the outstanding marina for superyachts Porto Montenegro nearby, will create a unique and unsurpassed experience – a year-round center for yachts in the Mediterranean. This is just the beginning of the Adriatic 42 project and we are looking forward to the opportunities for employment and prosperity that it will bring to Montenegro – said Al Shaibani.
The President of the Board of Directors of Adriatic 42, Captain Rado Antolović, said that with today’s opening of a unique facility for the repair and maintenance of mega yachts, a new era of development of the maritime industry and yachting in Montenegro begins.
– On the foundations that have existed here, in this in many ways special place, since 1927, a new, more sustainable and modern phase of shipbuilding and overhaul development in Montenegro officially begins today. With the acquisition of the best possible infrastructure and the realization of numerous other investments, over 40 million EUR have been invested in this project so far. The dedicated work of around 100 great people who make up Adriatic 42 made it possible for our first client to be one of the largest yachts in the world – Black Pearl. All our clients will have the opportunity to receive a service of the highest international standards, based on the knowledge of our numerous international and local experts – said Antolović.
Antolović particularly emphasized the importance of environmental protection, which is one of the key priorities of the Adriatic 42 company.
– We know how important it is to preserve the enormous natural wealth of the unique Boka Kotorska. That is why a sustainable approach, which includes the highest ecological and safety standards for preventing environmental pollution, is a principle from which we do not deviate. It is precisely the new and modern equipment that allows us an energy-efficient way of doing business and the smart use of alternative energy sources. I am convinced that our future clients will recognize us as a reliable partner, and Montenegro as the best yachting destination – concluded Antolović, who announced that the project will continue to develop through various stages.
The Government of Montenegro granted a 30-year concession to the former Bijela Shipyard. The concession was granted to a consortium consisting of The Investment Corporation of Dubai and Drydocks World Dubai, local media writes.
