Construction on the project "Rehabilitation and extension of the existing dock in the Unije port - II phase, Island of Unije" was completed in March 2022. The port of Unije comprises a protective breakwater and the section of shoreline at the base of the breakwater. Phase II included the extension of the head of the pre-existing breakwater, which measured 55 m x 6 m, in a T-shape, by 30 m on either side.
Greater breakwater size improves docking safety and provides more suitable mooring for liners. Continuous operation of ship, high-speed, catamaran and RO-RO lines guarantees a link with the surrounding administrative centers of Mali Lošinj, Rijeka, Pula, Zadar, as well as with Cesenatico, Pesaro, Rimini on the Italian coast. That is why this project is extremely important for the population of Unije. The economy and tourism on the neighboring islands will also benefit, through the provision of permanent communal berths, more liners and yachts in transit.
The project whose total value is approx. €5 million is funded with a non-refundable grant of €4.57 million, 85% of which is provided by ESI Funds and 15% by the state budget. The project is managed by the Mali Lošinj County Port Authority, and the construction works were performed by the Rijeka-based firm Sun Adria.
The results of the project were presented at the closing conference, held on 20 May 2022 in the “Aurora” hotel in Mali Lošinj. The conference was attended by the Director of the Administration for Islands in the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds, Dominik Paparić, Deputy Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Prefect, Vojko Braut, Mayor of Mali Lošinj, Ana Kučić, Director of the Mali Lošinj County Port Authority, Filip Balija, President of the Unije Local Council, Roberto Nikolić and representatives of the national shipping company and Adriatic port authorities.
The implementation of the project significantly improves navigation safety in the Unije Channel, the safety of embarkation and disembarkation of passengers, safety and frequency of island lines, and the provision of the island population and visitors to the archipelago. Previously, line interruptions were frequent due to local maritime conditions – waves of four or four and a half meters can be expected in the Unije waters during powerful storms, preventing ships from docking.