Croatia’s state-owned ferry company reports 9.3 million passengers and 2.8 million vehicles over eight months. Vehicle numbers remained stable, while costs rose faster than revenue.
Many passengers, stable vehicle numbers
Jadrolinija reports carrying around 9.3 million passengers and 2.8 million vehicles in the first eight months of 2026. The figures come from a company review provided to the HINA news agency.
Passenger numbers were slightly below the same period last year, while vehicle numbers were stable. The published summary does not quantify the precise decline in passengers.
Which island routes were particularly busy
The company identifies services to Brač, Hvar, Cres, Rab and Pag as the most heavily used. It says that even more vehicles were carried during the summer than in the previous year.
This is an operator’s overview of the entire network, not a punctuality report. It indicates demand but says nothing about how long individual travellers waited on peak days or whether every scheduled sailing operated.
Costs are rising faster than revenue
According to Jadrolinija, revenue rose by three per cent but costs increased by five per cent. The ferry company names maintenance and energy as major cost drivers.
These percentages alone do not reveal whether the company made a profit or loss. That would require absolute figures, depreciation, subsidies and the other components of a full financial report.
Fleet renewal remains a process
Jadrolinija points to a fleet-renewal plan developed with the International Finance Corporation. It says the selection and procurement stages for the planned Elafiti vessel Nova Postira have been completed and talks with suitable shipyards are now under way.
The vessel has therefore not yet been built and no entry-into-service date has been confirmed. For travellers, the timetable, specific route, vehicle-reservation rules and live operating status remain more important than the general fleet outlook.
Evidence
Sources & date
Sources support the facts. Planning notes and recommendations are Golden Beach editorial assessments.
Time-sensitive information may change. Please check the linked primary source before travelling.
