Port of Sibenik Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project

complete

The proceeds of the EBRD loan will be used for the extension and reconfiguring of the passenger wharves at Quay Vrulje. The extension and rehabilitation of the wharves is required to increase the capacity of the existing infrastructure within the port area to allow for more efficient processing of the island ferry traffic and the entry of medium sized cruise ships into the port area. The rehabilitation of the Sibenik port infrastructure is being implemented as part of the Government’s long-term investment strategy is to support the expansion of the tourism network in Croatia. The importance of efficient local transport infrastructure is recognised as one of the key factors to ensure the quality of service and expansion of the tourist offer in Croatia outside the limited number of major/well-known tourist hubs such as Dubrovnik and Istria. Port of Sibenik Authority – a statutory authority established to administer and manage the operations of Port of Sibenik in Croatia. EUR 12 million loan. EUR 15 million. The Project has been screened as B/1. According to the Croatian environmental requirements, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for this project was required and it was carried out by local consulting company, EKONERG, Zagreb in 2008. A review of this EIA was undertaken by EBRD’s ESD. A visit to Sibenik Port and project site was carried out by EBD’s environmental and social specialists. During site visit no significant social impacts of the project were identified. The main potential environmental impacts in EIA were identified including: (i) effects of underwater excavations, (ii) pollution caused by oil and oil derivatives spills, (iii) pollution by sewerage discharge, (iv) pollution by anti-fouling paints, (v) noise caused by increased traffic, and (vi) visual impacts on the bay landscape. The EIA recommended adequate measures to reduce these potential environmental impacts. These impacts include preparing a waste management plan, identifying procedures for dealing with sewerage from ships using the port and preventing the use of harmful anti-fouling agents. The EIA concluded that the potential impacts are limited and temporary in terms of their environmental impact magnitude and significance. As a part of EIA process, the Company has disclosed EIA for public comments according to Croatian legal requirements and carried out public hearing in January 2008. No comments and/or questions were received. Based on the EIA, environmental permit was issued by the Croatian Ministry for Physical Planning and Environmental Protection on 28 February 2008 defining detailed environmental protection measures to be implemented during project preparation, implementation and its operation. In addition, Sibenik Port Authority also provided to EBRD legally required documents which specified hazardous material, waste and ballast water management. Further, an emergency spill procedures and procedures for using the Sibenik Port facilities were provided. Envisaged technical cooperation to be sought includes assistance in implementation of the MIS port system and consultancy assistance in project implementation.