Baška, known for its rich history and beautiful beaches, has got another reason for pride - a new and larger maritime passenger port.
High-ranking officials joined local residents of Baška in celebration yesterday, May 11, on the occasion of the opening of the expanded port. At the ceremony, the director of the Krk County Port Authority Albert Franković hosted the Vice President of the Government and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković, Deputy Prefect of Primorsko-Goranska County Vojko Braut and Mayor of Baška Municipality Toni Juranić. The oldest fisherman in Baška, ninety-year-old Anton Rode lent an emotional touch to the proceedings, cutting the ribbon on the reconstructed jetty.
The project saw the extension of the primary breakwater Vela Riva by 50,55 m, and the extension of the secondary breakwater Mala Riva by 105,00 m. Both breakwaters will be used to receive passenger liners depending on the weather conditions. The infrastructure has now been made suitable for the vessel scheduled to operate on the planned Baška-Lopar-Baška line.
The investment worth 5.46 million euros received 4.48 million euros in support from the Cohesion Fund and 790 thousand euros from the State Budget of the Republic of Croatia, through the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014 – 2020. The expansion ensured the necessary protection of the waters within the port area of Baška, and provided appropriate mooring and security at the berth for liner ships.
In the long term, the biggest gain is meeting the conditions for the introduction of a line connecting the island of Rab with the mainland via the port of Baška, and a higher level of service for passengers on public shipping lines. By enabling a better connection with the surrounding islands and the mainland, this project is certain to improve the tourist offer of Baška and the island of Krk.
At the opening, the Vice President of the Government and Minister Butković looked back on the successful implementation of port projects in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Of the five major projects, four have been completed – on Cres, Crikvenica, Unije, and now also in Baška, while works are underway in the port of Rab. The Ministry provided key financial support to these projects using funds from the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014 – 2020, and the implementation did not disappoint.