HUP - Nautical Sector Association announces “Quo Vadis Nautica” at the Biograd Boat Show: Presentation of Croatia’s first Blue Book of the nautical industry

As part of this year’s Biograd Boat Show, the Croatian Employers’ Association – Nautical Sector Association (HUP UNS) will host a major industry event entitled “Quo Vadis Nautica”. The event will take place on the opening day of the show, 21 October at 15:00, with the aim of launching a strategic dialogue on the future and development of Croatia’s nautical industry as a whole, a sector extending far beyond yacht charter and marinas.

Croatia’s nautical sector represents significant economic potential. With the goal of moving beyond the country’s traditional role as primarily a nautical tourism destination and developing a strong, high-tech and export-driven marine industry, HUP UNS has initiated an in-depth analysis of the entire sector.

A key highlight of the event will be the official presentation of the first comprehensive Blue Book of the Croatian Nautical Industry. For the first time, this landmark study provides a data-driven overview of the sector’s total economic impact, covering direct, indirect and related activities, from boatbuilding, marine equipment manufacturing and refit yards to highly specialised marine services, innovation and the development of advanced maritime technologies.

In addition to presenting the findings of the study, the event will introduce concrete recommendations and strategic priorities for the sustainable development of the sector.

Particular emphasis will be placed on an initiative to establish a National Nautical Council, a permanent cross-sector platform bringing together industry, government institutions and the academic and research community. Institutional recognition, government support and constructive public-private dialogue are considered essential at this stage for defining a new National Strategy for the Development of Croatia’s Nautical Industry and establishing a sustainable framework for managing and developing the sector’s full potential.

The central part of the event will be the “Quo Vadis Nautica” panel discussion, bringing together leading representatives from the nautical industry, academia and public administration.

Panel participants will include Luciano Beg, President of the HUP - Nautical Sector Association; Prof. Alen Jugović, PhD, Faculty of Maritime Studies Rijeka; Izv. Prof. Luka Vukić, PhD, Faculty of Maritime Studies Split; Dr. sc. Nina Perko, director of the Maritime Administration, Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure; Marina Palumbo Cardella, Project and Policy Officer at European Boating Industry; and Teuta Duletić, Managing Director of Lürssen Design Center Kvarner d.o.o.