A EUR 600,000 PHARE 2005 twinning project on the strengthening of administrative capacities in navigation safety was presented at the ministry, as well as the start of a EUR 500,000 PHARE 2006 project on the strengthening of administrative capacities in maritime transport control and management and the strengthening of capacities in flag state control.
The service, which will control, manage and organise maritime transport and inform ships in coastal waters, territorial waters and the Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone, will use 10 radars and radio stations on the islands and along the coast. Its headquarters will be in the northern Adriatic city of Rijeka, with regional offices in Split and Dubrovnik.
The staff who will operate the system were trained as part of the PHARE 2005 project, in cooperation with maritime administrations of Finland, Italy and Estonia. This project was financed by the European Commission and is being wrapped up. (Hina)