Scenic hit by shipbuilder upheaval

SCENIC is weathering turmoil in the construction of its expedition vessel Scenic Eclipse, with striking workers and a financial crisis forcing a change of board at the vessel’s Croatian shipbuilder.

After industrial action and allegations that workers had not been paid, the Pula-based Uljanik Group appointed a new Chairman and three-member management board on Fri in a bid to avoid financial collapse.

Local media report that talks are now underway with creditors and government over a restructure.

In a statement, Scenic Chairman Glen Moroney said construction of Eclipse was progressing and that industrial disputes at the shipyard had been resolved.

However, he said Scenic had taken full ownership of Eclipse “given the yard’s challenges” and was contracting suppliers directly to ensure the build continued.

“The Uljanik Group is working with the Croatian Government and the European Union’s Competition Authority to develop a restructuring plan and we hope this process will be completed soon,” Moroney said.

“Despite the difficult environment, Scenic’s supervisory team, along with Uljanik’s management and production workers, are totally focused on the ship’s completion.

“Due to the shipyard’s financial situation and strike action we have faced some delays, but we continue to address these as they arise,” he said.

Scenic did not say whether the disruption would further delay the launch of Eclipse, the debut of which has already been pushed back from Aug to Jan ( CW 05 Jul).

The operator said another update was likely “in the next week or so”.