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1 INTRODUCTION

The question of cruise routes awareness in costal

navigation is important due to the fact that cruise

ships spend major part of itineraries in costal

navigation, often in environmentally delicate and

preserved locations. High passenger demand and

increased demand for new cruise ships contributes to

cruise industry development and create trend where

cruise ships are becoming bigger [3, 15]. That trend

makes significant objective for increased awareness of

maritime traffic safety in coastal navigation [4].

During last twenty years, the Mediterranean

region as well as the Adriatic region record

considerable rise in number of ports of calls, currently

around 30 cruise ports are in use by cruise lines in the

Adriatic Sea [16–18]. The Adriatic Sea for the period

from 2015 to 2019 represents the fastest growing

region in the Mediterranean with 18.70% growth in

cruise calls and 20.90% in total passenger movements

[1, 2]. Central and South part of the Adriatic East coast

is the fastest growing region inside the Adriatic with

25.75% growth in cruise calls and 46.07% in cruise

passenger movement for period from 2015 to 2019 [1,

2]. In addition to notable cruise industry growth, East

coast of the Adriatic Sea is the region with great

portion of indented coast line with high level of

environmentally preserved and natural protected

areas with rich biodiversity and high national

importance. One of these areas in Croatian part of the

Adriatic are three National Parks Brijuni, Kornati and

Cruise Ships Routing in Central Part of the Adriatic East

Coast

J. Dorigatti, Z. Lusić, T. Perić & G. Jelić Mrcelić

University of Split, Split, Croatia

ABSTRACT: Strong expansion of cruise ships traffic and cruising destinations in the Adriatic makes the region

ideal for cruise ships routing analysis. The aim of this paper is to detect real cruise ships traffic movement in

order to understand how present cruise ships routes are navigationally and environmentally sustainable and

safe. Cruise ships characteristic operational demand and navigational routine in relation with regions indented

coast line with high level of environmentally preserved areas in landscape of high national value, emphasise

importance of real cruise ships routing awareness.

The research is based on one year cruise ships traffic monitoring and routes analysis in the Central Adriatic East

coast. The results offer detail insight of cruise ships navigational routines in navigationally less defined area that

has not been frequent cruising region before. Cruise ships routes comparison is carried out between North

Adriatic region, which is well defined with traffic separation schemes and navigational aids and less defined

Central and South Adriatic regions. The results show that principle of cruise ships routing differ from standard

maritime practice and that operational demand for attractive cruising and passenger experience bring cruise

ships close to shores in various demanding navigational situations. That routing practice does not meet criteria

of sustainability as it often present high navigational, safety and environmental risk.

http://www.transnav.eu

the International Journal

on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation

Volume 16

Number 1

March 2022

DOI: 10.12716/1001.16.01.19

162

Mljet and two Natural parks, Lastovo island and

archipelago and Telašćica. Taking in consideration

above said, cruising routes in coastal navigation in

rapidly growing region have to be closely reviewed.

The research will focus on the Central Adriatic

region with emphasis to the area of Vis Island and its

archipelago. The objective of this research is to detect

and analyse current cruise ships routing practices in

the Central Adriatic East coast. The focus is to prove

that operational demand for attractive cruising and

passenger experience, bring cruise ships in

navigationally restricted, environmentally protected

areas with elevated safety, navigational and

environmental risk. Furthermore, that the risk

increases in less regulated navigational regions. The

aim is also to show how cruise routes differ from

standard maritime traffic flow that is defined by

Central and Northern Adriatic Separation Scheme.

Current researches and publications related to

maritime traffic in the Adriatic Sea are available.

Impact of cruise ships routing in coastal navigation

from the aspect of sustainability written by Dorigatti,

J. ‘et al.’ [3] analyse current researches in maritime

sustainability and discuss operational part of

sustainability in cruising industry and its importance.

The paper concludes how cruising industry

operational practice is important factor of maritime

sustainability and has not been enough researched.

Main sailing routes in the Adriatic written by Lušić

and Kos [10] and The Adriatic maritime traffic study

written by Zec ‘et al.’ [19] in detail discuss maritime

traffic and routes in the Adriatic region. One of the

conclusions of these researches’ states that maritime

traffic flow in Central Adriatic is mostly directed

through Central Adriatic separation scheme and that

maritime accidents are rare which indicates good

maritime traffic coordination. In these researches

focus is given on general longitudinal maritime traffic

from Otranto strait to Northern Adriatic ports.

Analysis of maritime traffic in central part of the

Adriatic written by Lušić, Pušić, Medić [11] analyse

sailing routes and structure of maritime traffic. The

study is focused on maritime traffic inside Central

Adriatic Separation Scheme. The study concludes that

the greater part of the longitudinal sailing route

extends in the area of sufficient depth and width

where there is no significant danger to navigation

with exception of danger of collision with the

opposite and transverse traffic and danger of

grounding in the broader area of Palagruža island.

Environmental consideration of the Adriatic East

coast is elaborated in the report ‘Routing of ships,

ships reporting and related matters - Establishment of

new recommended Traffic Separation Schemes and

other routing measures in the Adriatic Sea’ issued by

IMO, Sub-Committee on safety of navigation 49th

session [6]. In the report emphasis is put on the island

Vis, Jabuka, Svetac, Biševo, Sv.Andrija, Palagruža and

island of Mljet. The report declares that maritime

traffic and incidents are warnings of very serious

environmental problems and advice the need for

perseverance and protection.

2 CRUISE ROUTES MONITORING AND

ASSESSMENT

During last decade east coast of the Adriatic Sea

region has experienced strong development of

cruising destinations and high growth in cruise calls

and passenger movements. Expansion of cruise

industry has created new routes that have become

standard navigational options for cruise ships. In

order to determine and understand cruise routes that

are in use today detail analysis of cruise ships traffic

movement in Central part of the Adriatic East coast is

carried out. The research is performed processing data

from ‘Evaluation model of sanitary wastewater

pollution from cruise ships in the Adriatic Sea’

research [14]. All cruise ships movements were

monitored on daily basis during one year period

(from August 2014 to July 2015) using Marine Traffic

software. The research is carried out during busiest

five-month period in the Central and South part of the

Adriatic East coast on cruise ships over 50 000 GT.

Data were selected, analysed, interpolated and

chartered in order to determine real cruise ship traffic

flow. The research shows that majority of cruise ships

have constant seasonal itineraries among scheduled

ports with repetitive cruise routes. With that in mind,

cruise ships navigational routine doesn’t change and

obtained results don’t become obsolete with time if

maritime regulations don’t change.

Figure 1. shows cruise ships routes in use in the

Central and South part of the Adriatic East coast. The

routes are drawn according to real cruise ships

movement obtained from the research. Cruise ships

routes are marked as black lines. In order to compare

cruise ships movement with standard maritime traffic

flow through separation schemes, North and Central

Adriatic separation scheme is marked by two red

squares.

Figure 1. Cruise ships routes in central and south Adriatic

east coast

Resource: Ministry of the Sea Transport and Infrastructure

Republic of Croatia, chart amended by the author [13]

The main sailing route in the Adriatic Sea is

longitudinal sailing route in NW - SE direction, it is

defined by North Adriatic separation scheme, Central

Adriatic separation scheme and the Otranto Strait

163

(Figure 1). North Adriatic separation scheme branches

in the Northwestern and Northeastern direction

directing traffic to the biggest ports in the North

Adriatic [7]. Due to presence of gas and oil rigs and

high traffic concentration the North Adriatic region is

well defined with separation scheme and aids to

navigation. Central Adriatic region is defined by the

Central Adriatic separation scheme, the region is more

spacious and unobstructed with less defined traffic

corridors [7]. North and Central Adriatic is covered

by VTS system. In addition to VTS system every sea

craft that operates in accordance with directives of the

Resolution of the IMO s Maritime Safety Committee,

MSC: 139(76) from December 5, 2002 is obligated to

participate in the “Adriatic Reporting System“

(ADRIREP). The area is divided into five sectors each

of them assigned to competent authority operating on

designated VHF channel [5].

The most frequent cruise ships route in the Central

Adriatic East coast region is the outer island

longitudinal route in the Northwest-Southeast and

Southeast-Northwest direction. Depending on cruise

ships destination and captains navigational decision

there are variety of longitudinal routes that are in use

today. Geographical area that will be analysed in this

paper is the Central Adriatic outer island region with

focus on Vis Island region since the most frequent

longitudinal cruise routes pass in vicinity of Vis

Island and its archipelago. In addition to that traffic

monitoring has shown that area is exposed to higher

safety, navigational and environmental risk.

Monitoring of cruise traffic showed that cruise

ships on the longitudinal route to the South Adriatic

East coast ports or North Adriatic ports do not use

Central Adriatic separation scheme. In Northwest-

Southeast direction after leaving the North Adriatic

separation scheme cruise ships proceed along outer

island route on the way to the South Adriatic ports on

the East coast. In Southeast-Northwest direction

leaving the South Adriatic ports cruise ships proceed

on the outer island route until they reach the Northern

Adriatic separation scheme (Figure 1). They chose to

pass through some geographically restricted,

navigationally demanding and environmentally

sensitive areas. The challenges that central part of the

Adriatic east coast meet are cruise routes that pass

close to the shores of environmentally sensitive areas

and cruise ships close quarter and crossing situation

in navigationally restricted and environmentally

sensitive areas.

3 CRUISE SHIPS ROUTING IN CENTRAL

ADRIATIC - VIS ISLAND AND ITS

ARCHIPELAGO REGION

Island of Vis and its archipelago with Biševo, Svetac,

Jabuka and Palagruža islands form the outer island

region in the Central Adriatic East coast. According to

Figure 2. the region is frequent with longitudinal and

transversal cruise ships traffic. Longitudinal routes

pass south of Svetac and Biševo islands, between

Svetac and Biševo, between Biševo and Vis and north

of Vis Island along Vis channel. Transversal routes

pass west of Vis island between Biševo and Svetac

island and east of Vis between Hvar and Vis islands.

Figure 2. is created according to monitored real

cruise ships movement. Black lines are real cruise

ships routes in use, red circles present high-risk areas

from the aspect of navigational and environmental

safety. High risk sectors are in following geographical

areas: island of Svetac (1), passage between Svetac and

Biševo island (2), Biševo channel (3) and Vis channel -

northeast of Vis (4).

Figure 2. Navigational risk areas - Vis Island and its

archipelago

Resource: Marine traffic data, amended by the author [1, 13]

1. Svetac island

2. Passage between Svetac and Biševo Island

3. Biševo channel

4. Vis channel

3.1 Svetac island

The Island of Svetac stands about 12.7 M west of the

island of Vis [5]. Cruise ships routes pass frequently

shores of Svetac island in northwesterly and

southeasterly courses. On southeasterly courses from

the North Adriatic ports to the South Adriatic East

coast cruise ships don’t use Central Adriatic

Separation Scheme. They proceed along east coast

outer island route, passing south or north of the

Svetac island (Figure 3).

Figure 3. The example of cruise routes passing shores of

Svetac island - Central Adriatic

Resource: Marine Traffic, amended by the author [12]

Figure 3. shows real cruise traffic movement

around the Svetac island region. For the purpose of

presentation movement of one cruise ship in period of

time is selected and presented (Figure 3). Blue line

represents actual cruise route taken by a cruise ship.

Black circles have 3 M diameter and represent

164

environmental reference to the International

Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from

Ships, Anex IV (MARPOL) [8]. Traffic monitoring

showed that 76 cruise ships passed inside 3 M from

shores of Svetac island with average retention period

of 16.1 minutes. 155 cruise ships pass on 3 M to 6 M

distance and 47 cruise ships kept 6 M and more from

the island shores. Traffic monitoring showed that 6

times in 90 minutes period two cruise ships meet

inside 3 M from island shores. In one occasion 3 cruise

ships met in 90 minutes period inside 3 M from the

island shore.

Navigational risk occurs when cruise routes pass

close to the shores of the Svetac island and when

cruise ships meet in head on or overtaking situation

close to the island shores. Head on and crossing

situation close to the island shores puts cruise ships in

northwesterly courses in particularly demanding

navigational situation, since shallows and shore are in

immediate vicinity on ships starboard side [9]. In

addition to cruise ships traffic, the area around the

Svetac island is a fishing ground with a dense

presence of fishing boats depending of fishing season.

Taking above mentioned in consideration, passing

near the shores of the Svetac island presents

navigational risks of grounding, collision and

environmental risk.

3.2 Passage between Svetac and Biševo island

Passage between Svetac and Biševo island is part of

longitudinal and transversal corridor cruise ships use.

Longitudinal southeasterly routes proceed to South

Adriatic east coast destinations while northwesterly

routes head to North and Central Adriatic ports.

Transversal routes in northerly and southerly

directions connect port of Split with southern Adriatic

destinations and Italian coast.

Figure 4.1. Overview of cruise route passing from

Mediterranean regions to Northern Adriatic ports

Resource: Marine Traffic application, amended by the

author [12]

Figure 4.2 Fragment of Figure 4.1. Cruise route passage

between Biševo and Svetac island on the international route

from the Mediterranean region to North Adriatic (Italy)

Resource: Marine Traffic application, amended by the

author [12]

Figure 4.3 Overview of transversal and longitudinal routes

in Biševo and Svetac island region

Resource: Marine Traffic, amended by the author [12]

Figures 4.1 - 4.3 show longitudinal and transversal

cruise ships routes in the Central Adriatic region

around Biševo and Svetac islands. Blue line represents

real cruise ship route, light blue line is 12 M limit,

dates and times indicate when a ship left and entered

12 M area and red square emphasise points of interest.

For the purpose of presentation movement of two

cruise ship is selected and presented. First ship

(Figure 4.1 and Figure 4.2), second ship (Figure 4.3).

During research period 43 cruise ships passed

between Svetac and Biševo island, 21 cruise ship pass

inside 3 M from Biševo island with average retention

period of 19.23 minutes, 51 cruise ships pass on 3 M to

6 M distance from Biševo island and 6 cruise ships

kept 6 M and more from Biševo island. Monitoring

has shown that 5 times in 90 minutes period, two

cruise ships meet inside 3 M from Biševo island

shores.

Traffic monitoring has shown cases where cruise

ships from the Mediterranean regions, passing from

the Otranto strait to North Adriatic ports, avoid

Central Adriatic Separation Scheme and proceed

between Svetac and Biševo island on the way to the

North Adriatic Separation Scheme (Figure 4.1, Figure

4.2).

165

Navigational risks for cruise ships traffic that pass

between Svetac and Biševo islands are: cruise routes

that pass close to the island shores, head on and

overtaking situation close to the island shores,

crossing of longitudinal and transversal routes in

restricted coastal areas and presence of water-crafts,

sailing boats and fishing boats inside the passage as

the area is traditional fishing region and nautical

touristic destination.

General comparison between traffic flow in the

North Adriatic which is well defined with traffic

separation schemes and navigational aids and traffic

flow in the Central and South Adriatic, as less defined

maritime zone has been made. It has shown that

cruise ships routes oscillate from standard traffic flow

which is defined by longitudinal corridor that pass

through the North and Central Adriatic Separation

Scheme (Figure 1, Figure 4.1 and Figure 4.2). The

research has shown that all doubtful navigational

decisions have been carried out in navigationally less

defined Central and South Adriatic region.

3.3 Biševo channel

Biševo channel leads between the SW extremity of Vis

Island and Biševo island. The channel is 2.2 M wide; it

is navigationally restricted for passage less than 300 m

from the shore with recommended daily passage [5].

In addition to that the region is popular touristic,

nautical and fisherman destination with dense

seasonal watercraft, sailing and fishing boat traffic,

which makes navigation of large cruise ships serious

safety and environmental risk.

Figure 5. shows Central Adriatic region with Vis,

Biševo and Svetac islands. Blue line represents actual

cruise route taken by two cruise ships in period of

time and red square emphasise point of interest. Black

circles have 3 M diameter and indicate environmental

reference to the International Convention for the

Prevention of Pollution from Ships, Anex IV

(MARPOL) and safety navigational reference to

distance cruise traffic pass from the island shores [8].

Dates and time indicate when a ship entered and left 3

M area. Data collected has showed that selected routes

are not isolated case nor made by coincidence but

have become standard navigational choice for

monitored cruise ships in period of time.

Figure 5. The example of cruise routes in use passing Biševo

channel Resource Marine Traffic, amended by the author

[14]

Cruise ships routes through Biševo channel are not

usual, however despite of restrictions, cruise ships

passage in Biševo channel was detected. During

monitoring period, a cruise ship passed through

Biševo channel 5 times with average retention period

25.2 minutes inside 3 M from shore. The passage was

carried out by identical cruise ship, that shows that

the route has become standard navigational routine

for monitored cruise ship. Observed cruise route put

cruise ship in immediate grounding and collision

danger (Figure 5) [9].

3.4 Vis channel

Vis channel is situated between island of Hvar and Vis

in the Central Adriatic. It is located in intersection of

longitudinal and transversal routes. Longitudinal

inland cruising route connects the Northern and

Central Adriatic region with the Southern Adriatic

ports. Transversal route connects Split with South

Adriatic coast and Italy.

Main navigational risk is crossing of transversal

and longitudinal route and head on situation in

restricted area of Vis channel. Longitudinal inland

cruise traffic during research period was not constant,

on the other hand transversal traffic is frequent. With

cruise traffic there is a frequent ferry and catamaran

connection from Vis and Lastovo islands to Split and

vice versa. In addition to that the area of Vis channel

is very touristy popular with developed nautical

tourism and dense leisure craft traffic.

Taking above in consideration navigation in Vis

channel has to be carried out with caution because

risk of collision and grounding is elevated [9].

Figure 6. show longitudinal and transversal cruise

ships routes in the Central Adriatic region around Vis

channel. Blue line represents real cruise ship route,

light blue line is 12 M limit, dates and times indicate

when a ship left and entered 12 M area.

Figure 6. The example of cruise routes in use passing Vis

channel.

Resource: Marine Traffic, amended by the author [12]

4 CONCLUSION

The research has shown various situation cruise ships

encounter during their operation. In order to meet

operational schedule and offer unique passenger

experience cruise ships have chosen routes that are

navigationally challenging. Navigational decisions

166

taken by some cruise ships, in order to meet

operational demands were unpredicted and

performed often in unusual maritime manner.

Route monitoring has shown that cruise routes are

repetitive, they become usual navigational practice as

majority of cruise ships have standard seasonal

itineraries. With that in mind, irrespective of

monitoring period, cruise ships routing practice does

not change if maritime regulations don’t change.

Research proved that cruise ships in order to

comply with operational demand, in less defined

navigational regions, plan routes that present

navigational, safety and environmental hazard. Cruise

ships traffic analysis showed that cruise ships have

been choosing high risk navigational routes

deliberately and that selected routes are not

exemption nor taken by coincidence. On the contrary,

the routes have become repetitive practice and

standard navigational routine.

Comparison between traffic flow in the North

Adriatic, which is well defined with traffic separation

schemes and navigational aids and traffic flow in the

Central and South Adriatic, as less defined maritime

zone, has proven that cruise ships routes oscillate

from standard traffic flow. Cruise traffic overview has

confirmed that cruise ships on the way to the South

Adriatic East coast ports do not use Central Adriatic

Separation Scheme. In addition to that the research

has shown that the most doubtful navigational

decisions have been carried out in theCentral and

South Adriatic region.

The study has brought to the attention how well-

defined traffic schemes and efficient traffic

coordination are of high importance for regulated and

safe maritime traffic. With that in mind, it is of high

importance that cruise traffic expansion is well

controlled and equally complemented with

investment, implementation and development of

routing systems, efficient traffic control and maritime

regulation. With aim to create and maintain efficient

cruising operation with high level of navigational

safety, environmental preservation and natural

protection.

Monitoring of cruise routes has brought to the

attention lack of regulation and coordination in new,

developing and expanding cruising regions. The

research has shown that cruise industry is unique

when it comes to passage planning in costal

navigation. Operational requirements for cruise

itineraries and route planning differ from maritime

industry standards. Which certainly leave a room for

detail analysis of cruise ships routing in costal

navigation in one of future researches.

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