Croatian shipbuilding has the expertise, talent, and experience, while new developmental momentum could stem from stronger integration between universities, shipyards, and the defense sector. This was the key message of the expert conference titled “Prospects for the Development of Croatian Shipbuilding in the Kvarner Region”, held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka.
The conference gathered representatives from the academic community, shipyards, design firms, and the defense sector. The central topics of discussion included the development of the 3. Maj Rijeka d.o.o. shipyard, the modernization of the Croatian Navy, and opportunities for joint participation in upcoming strategic projects.
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Lado Kranjčević, emphasized that the new momentum at 3. Maj shipyard opens up opportunities for closer cooperation between industry and academia. Rijeka is already a prominent European hub for naval architecture and marine engineering, employing over 2,000 engineers in the sector. This optimism is also reflected in growing interest among youth, as evidenced by a significantly higher enrollment in the Naval Architecture study programme this year compared to previous years.
“I truly believe that Croatian shipbuilding is strong and well-prepared for these challenges,” stated Kranjčević, highlighting that increased student interest confirms young people recognize new opportunities within the domestic industry. Alongside naval architecture, the Faculty educates specialists in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computing, mechatronics, and robotics, and is preparing a new study programme “Artificial Intelligence in Engineering”. All these fields can make a valuable contribution to modern shipbuilding.
Roko Vuletić, President of the Board of the 3. Maj shipyard, agreed that Croatia does not lack design expertise, but rather stronger manufacturing capacity.
“Croatia has serious design offices working across Europe and worldwide,” Vuletić noted, pointing out that Croatian engineers remain competitive on the international market despite the decline in domestic shipbuilding in recent years.
He sees the revival of ship construction as an opportunity for a new chapter at 3. Maj shipyard. He emphasized that the shipyard will not return to its former mass-production model, but will instead focus on specialized, high-value-added vessels demanded by today’s European market. Such an approach, he believes, allows the shipyard’s production capacities to integrate with a well-developed network of domestic design and engineering firms.
Alongside ongoing projects, including a 206-meter polar cruise ship, the shipyard is preparing for Jadrolinija’s announced tender for four Ro-Ro vessels and is interested in participating in the project for Croatia’s multi-purpose combat corvette.
An important step has already been taken in cooperation with the Faculty: naval architecture students will once again be offered internships at 3. Maj shipyard, allowing them to connect theoretical knowledge with practical shipbuilding processes. Bridging education and industry in this way is particularly crucial ahead of new growth opportunities, notably the modernization projects of the Croatian Navy.
The opportunities these projects open up for domestic shipbuilding were presented by Capt. (Navy) Assist. Prof. Andrija Ljulj, from the Institute for Security and Defense Studies (Dr. Franjo Tuđman Defense and Security University), representing the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Croatia. He outlined plans for the construction of the multi-purpose corvette, the development of new naval platforms, amphibious assault craft, and unmanned systems. He emphasized that the modern defense industry increasingly incorporates autonomous technologies, AI, and advanced engineering solutions, creating new avenues for domestic design firms, shipyards, and research institutions.
He specifically highlighted that the key to success in such projects is “precisely this coordination and integration between the Ministry of Defense – as the lead authority of defense projects and the transformation of defense capabilities – and industry, specifically shipbuilding, shipyards, and the science community.”
At the same time, he noted that the opportunities brought by naval modernization should not be viewed solely through the lens of constructing new vessels. Equally important are the development of domestic technologies, vessel fitting and maintenance, and the long-term involvement of Croatian experts in complex defense projects. Such collaboration could ensure that a portion of defense investments becomes a driver for the broader development of domestic shipbuilding.
The conference showed that the Kvarner Region indeed has all the essentials for a new step forward in shipbuilding – skilled professionals, established design companies, educational institutions, and a shipbuilding heritage. Furthermore, new plans by the Faculty of Engineering and the 3. Maj shipyard, alongside investments in modernizing the Croatian Navy, present opportunities that could provide additional momentum to the entire sector.
