The head of the port in Dubrovnik and board chairman Željko Raguž said that there is a need to build a terminal for cruise ships in the port of Dubrovnik. In this regard, he mentioned Porto Montenegro in Tivat, which, according to him, Dubrovnik is chasing.
“The port would look different on the map of the world’s ports, it would stand out. Although, we can boast that even without a terminal today we are the tenth port in the world and the third Mediterranean port by the number of passengers making a one-day visit to the destination on cruises. Many people think that all guests disembark from the ship wherever they dock. However, that is not the case, but we can boast that 75 percent of guests disembarked in our city, which makes us one of the best destinations,” Raguž said.
In addition to prestige, he said, the terminal will also generate revenue, and the fee per passenger could be increased.
“Today it is 1.5 euros per passenger, and we could set it at five euros. That is a considerable amount; this year more than 500,000 passengers will pass through our port, which will sharply increase our revenue. But the terminal will not be only for cruise ship guests, but also for local residents, because there are plans for shops and restaurants – a space where everyone will feel comfortable. And we simply must be on trend, keeping pace with other top ports of the Mediterranean. Compared with Montenegro, we have a beautiful airport, but our port infrastructure is not so developed. They have Porto Montenegro, which looks world-class, and we are a little behind it,” he said.
According to him, along with the Pelješac Bridge and Dubrovnik Airport, the terminal is among the three projects of exceptional importance for the city.
“As a port, we have done everything. We received instructions from the ministry, so it is necessary to amend the Urban Development Plan for the Gruž waterfront, and that is in progress. By the end of the year it will be before the city council, and we hope for positive news,” Željko Raguž said.