Crnogorska Plovidba Jun 2026
: In early 2025, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs reported that the company was over-indebted and unable to meet its immediate financial obligations, including a €400,000 overdraft to Prva Banka.
One cannot write about without honoring the Pomorci (seamen). For small towns like Kotor, Tivat, and Herceg Novi, working for this company has been a generational profession.
For Montenegro, the loss of Crnogorska plovidba represents more than just a balance sheet loss; it marks the effective end of a century of state-controlled maritime tradition rooted in the Bay of Kotor. As Vladimir Jokic, a representative of the opposition, warned, "Without shipping in Kotor, Montenegro has no maritime industry". While the government has yet to announce a final decision on the dissolution of the company, the financial reports speak for themselves: Crnogorska plovidba is, for all intents and purposes, a state-run shipwreck awaiting its final sinking. crnogorska plovidba
Crnogorska Plovidba was originally established as a state-owned enterprise after World War II, operating within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. After Montenegro gained independence in 2006, the company continued its strategic role. The privatization process in the early 2000s saw it become a joint-stock company, with a mix of state and private ownership.
The fall of Crnogorska plovidba offers a cautionary tale of how national maritime assets can be lost through a combination of volatile global markets, high-interest loans, and a lack of strategic support. The "rescue" by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs resulted not in saving the company, but in liquidating it at a fraction of its worth and transferring management to a competitor, leaving the Kotor region without a flagship commercial carrier. : In early 2025, the Ministry of Maritime
: The fleet currently features two main "Handy" type bulk carriers: : Built in 2012 at Shanghai Shipyard; 35,000 DWT. MV 21. Maj
Crnogorska Plovidba: The Rise, Crisis, and Selling of Kotor’s National Shipping Fleet For Montenegro, the loss of Crnogorska plovidba represents
The modern iteration of Crnogorska plovidba was established in 2003 as a joint-stock company and a direct successor to the maritime traditions of the former Yugooceanija fleet. The Government of Montenegro holds a dominant 99.97% share of the company’s stock, while the remaining 0.03% belongs to the Employment Agency of Montenegro. For much of its existence, the company was a significant operator on the international shipping market, aligning its practices with global open maritime standards. Before its current crisis, it was considered a key player in the maritime industry, focusing on cargo transportation and ship management across the Adriatic Sea and beyond.
The company operates under a strictly defined legal framework to ensure safety, fair compensation, and modern working conditions. A landmark was established between management and seafarer unions. This framework ensures compliance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), safeguarding crew welfare, medical care, and structured wage systems while at sea. Strategic Challenges and The Blue Economy
Press release from the 76th Cabinet session - Vlada Crne Gore