The Ministry will propose the abolition of variable fees, Maritime Affairs Minister Filip Radulović announced today, reacting to yesterday's statement by the Board of Directors of Crnogorska plovidba stating that the board is against the Agreement on Business and Technical Cooperation with Barska plovidba.
DON'T MISS IT
"Dear members of the Board of Directors of Crnogorska plovidba, I am not someone who deals with reactions, bickering or gossiping, but this time I have to speak out. And not because of you, but because of the Montenegrin public and the maritime industry. I do not dispute your right to address the public, but I am surprised that you are only now 'concerned' about the situation in the company, and this is precisely when the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, without your help, managed to prevent bankruptcy at the last moment and save jobs in the company," Radulović pointed out.
He told the Board of Directors of Crnogorska plovidba that he had been silent for almost a year.
"You have neither offered realistic solutions nor shown initiative. And now, when we have temporarily stabilized the situation, you feel the need to advertise. Where have you been until now? In your statement, you emphasize that it is the Board of Directors that manages the company. Excellent - but what did you, as someone who manages, specifically do to prevent the blocking of Crnogorska plovidba's accounts, which could have led to the ships being trapped in one of the ports with a number of consequences?", said Radulović
He said that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has repeatedly called on the Board of Directors of Crnogorska plovidba to submit a company recovery plan.
"We have never received a single sustainable solution other than your plan to forgive the company's debt to the state of over 37 million euros and for the state to additionally give you a new guarantee for the purchase of two more Broads, which is insane. Did you expect us to calmly watch as the company collapsed? The ministry did not have the luxury of remaining silent. We took responsibility and acted quickly and efficiently, because you did not. It is particularly scandalous that at the height of the crisis, while the company was sinking, the Board of Directors was engaged in distributing variable compensation to management and employees. Instead of fighting to save the company, you were distributing bonuses. If that is not an example of a complete lack of responsibility, I do not know what is," said Radulović.
He stated that the Board of Directors' failure to charter ships in December 2024 further worsened the situation.
"You had a favorable market opportunity and did not react. Then you concluded the contracts later, under significantly worse conditions, which left the company without almost a million euros, which almost led the company to bankruptcy. Because of all of the above, the Ministry will propose the abolition of variable remuneration," Radulović said.
He added that "every cent must go where it is needed most, which at this moment is the survival and recovery of the company."
"And let me be completely clear: the model of business-technical cooperation with Barska plovidba is the only realistic, sustainable and legal solution that currently exists, which provides the necessary immediate liquidity. This model enables cost rationalization, increased revenues and an exit from the crisis without additional burden on the state budget. It is time to stop sabotaging every attempt at recovery. If you have nothing useful to offer, at least get out of the way. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs will continue to do what you have not done, which is to save Crnogorska plovidba," said Radulović.
Bonus video:
