After restoring the high-speed ship Raketa three years ago, its owners started offering regular trips on the Nemunas River between Kaunas and the Curonian Lagoon. They are now planning to launch a second ship to course between Klaipeda and Nida.
Nerijus Silgalis, head of Vandens Kelias, says that the second Raketa-type ship, Vasara, which would run from Klaipeda-Nida-Klaipeda, is ready for the trip, but the new route will have to wait, since the war in Ukraine may have a dampening effect on coastal tourism.
The costs of organising the trips are enormous, he said.
“Preparing and launching the ship are only one component. Port leases, captains’ salaries are just one part. We had advance enquiries for this route, but with the outbreak of a major military conflict near us, the mood changed dramatically and people did not care for holidays anymore,” he said.
“This year, we will test the ship and do all the homework so that next year we can better anticipate the summer,” added Silgalis. (LRT/Business World Magazine)
